Yeah, we kinda flew past them
Their entire modern world was purchased or stolen off mostly the west.
My girlfriend travelled China as a PA selling them digital telephone exchanges, complete with spyware, tbh
Thats probably where it started.
Their four game changing inventions were printing, gunpowder, the compass and paper, which were obviously as important as the electric motor in their day.
They are paying enormous royalties, these things get worked out in the end, joining the WTO is the first step.
Works both ways of course.