>>514972915
Historically, China has always been one of the top economies.
However, one reason they fell behind around 200-300 years ago was because they were controlled by a ((minority)), the Manchus.
To maintain their power, the Qing Empress suppressed industrial reforms, even going to the extent of launch a corp against her son, the Guangxu Emperor, who was trying to execute the "Self-Strengthening movement" and industrialize China.
https://www.chinafetching.com/guang-xu-emperor-zai-tian
That and the fact that that usually the majority do not perform at their best when controlled by a ((minority)).