Going through my foreign relations class, we were told to make an essay over an article mentioning China. A comparison, postulated by sinologist Joseph Needham, between China and Europe, in questions of technology, resources, and development. In short, why did China not expand into a hegemonic, comercial and colonial power like the europeans before the Xiaoping era? Why was China surpassed by Europe, despite having a larger populace and more resources?
Many historians have tried to answer Needham's question. Answers range from religion, to lack of interest in development due to sufficiency, to constant wars, to the Qing, to an overbearing state bureaucracy.
Overall, i'd like to discuss, with you guys, why. Why didn't China use its abundant resources to expand into an early global superpower?