How does China's long history of isolation affect?

its relationship to the world today? I'm not seeking homework help; I'm 60 years old and want answers to a question I've been thinking about.How does China's long history of isolation affect?
Throughout history and in every part of the world, a community of people who have isolated themselves from the rest of the world will lag behind.





From the point of view of technology, the more people there are thinking and working on science and exchanging ideas, the better. Think about why the industrial age did not happen in China but did spread throughout Europe once the word got out. Although ancient China was very advanced (crossbow, gunpowder, compass, stirrup) simply missing out or not discovering some crucial ideas (steam power, electricity) was enough to change the course of history.





From the point of view of wealth, the more trade and opportunity to specialize there is, the better. Think about indigenous peoples on islands.





From the point of view of defence, the more enemies and threats you have, the better. Think about Carthage and what happened to Rome after it was destroyed.How does China's long history of isolation affect?
I recommend a book to you: The Sextants of Beijing (subtitle) Global Currents in Chinese History by Joanna Waley-Cohen.





It gets good reviews by Jonathan Spence and Nicholas Kristof.





The author is/was a prof. of history at NY Univ.





It directly contradicts the assumption in your question that China WAS cut off from the rest of the world.
Their is a fear of outsiders, and also misunderstanding. Look what is going on with the Olympics this is a chance for China to shine, but they are worried about the pollution and what is going on with Tibet. Yes their isolation has effected them. Look how much they have spent on defense.