Questions on how the Chinese government works

From what my dad told be (born in raised in china). The Chinese president's power comes mostly through influence and "popularity" while the US president can just issue executive orders. Does the Chinese president have any hard laws that allows oneself to just issue out policies and orders? I understand that the PSC is like the highest group of people and their voted are equal so I have less questions about this. And I also understand that even if on paper the president doesn't have legal powers to do whatever, they can inject people they like into places of power.

What about factions within the government? Even if it is a one party system there's bound to be disagreements and very large differences in interests. I've heard of the Shanghai clique and that one faction led by Hu but I have no knowledge on the history and interests of these factions.

Next question is how voting in China works. From my understanding the citizens of China can decide on who they like, and the government can choose those representatives to be in the government

What role do military officials have in the government, my dad told me that there are generals in a lower committee, but none are in the PSC.