Oh, I see. You think all history occurred in the last 200 years.
No, I think in that last 200 years, the society based on Christianity leapfrogged in power well beyond that of a 4,000 year old society based on another philosophy.
For it wasn't until the late 1700s that things started to go sour in China vis that tiny island.
One would think they were sour already, else a tiny Island would never have become such a threat.
But, since you know so much, tell us who ruled China at the time?
(Hint: they weren't Chinese)
Without looking, I would have to say the Mongols. I know they ruled China for quite awhile.
But the point is not so much about Chinese history as it is about their lack of progress as a society.
I doubt that the peasant of 1800 lived much differently from the peasant of 2,000 BC.
Fundamental foundational principles can have a profound long term effect on the direction a society takes.