I always think that the reason why China could be so domineering in the development of civilization in the past was because China was pragmatic and open to ideas including foreign ones. Chinese interaction with other civilizations through trade and Chinese willingness to let foreign culture into China and absorbed it and modified it to add into Chinese culture and civilization were probably the reason why China could be the center of the world in the past and its culture and technology were so advanced.

The reason why China fell was because China closed itself to outside world, thinking that China was already at the top and there was nothing to learn anymore from outside world. It started in Ming dynasty, and Qing dynasty went even further. China must not repeat its mistake and continue learning from others, including the west.

No, China still need to learn from the west and others. China is at critical juncture, and must not be complacent. Once China stop learning, it is over.