[ta_vf7xjd34cc]

> But it was Europe who conquered the world and colonized the so called new world, not China.

A Chinese emperor once famously said to the British: “Our celestial empire possesses all things in abundance and lacks no product within its borders. There is therefore no need to import the manufactures of barbarians in exchange for our own products.”[1]

Old civilizations are deeply connected to their geography, and once they settle down in a fertile area, they generally don't feel the need to colonize or fight people beyond their immediate neighbourhood. Barring a couple of exceptions, the Chinese and Indian experiences are very similar.

The only reason Europeans went out on their ships was to find a sea route to India after their traditional routes were blocked by the Turks and the Arabs.

[1] The Second Opium War (https://origins.osu.edu/read/second-opium-war)

[inglor_cz]

A small comment: the cited sentence predates the Opium Wars by many decades and comes from a reply to a failed British diplomatic mission (Macartney mission). Though the events are certainly loosely connected.

[Beijinger]

“Our celestial empire possesses all things in abundance and lacks no product within its borders. There is therefore no need to import the manufactures of barbarians in exchange for our own products.”

Yes. And it became very clear to them, there was something they SHOULD have bought. Military Technology!