The sophistication of the great Chinese armada illustrates how far advanced China was over the West in the 15th century. Its cities were more populous and its technology more advanced. Why then did Europe go on to dominate the world, while China lost its worldly influence? For some historians this was a "catastrophic missed opportunity." For others, it shows that the Chinese had different values. They valued business less than prestige, honour, ancestors, religion and family. They called their country the "Middle Kingdom," and considered it to be the centre of the world.
According to Confucian teachings, it is wrong for a man to make a distant voyage while his parents are still alive. By contrast, European nations were consumed by an obsession with profit. They were also spurred by competition among themselves, each driven by envy of their neighbours' success. No such motive affected China, for it had no rivals.
Learn more: Location, location and how the West was won