CEVAP:

At one point in the first half of the Second Millennium (CE), China was roughly at the same level with Europe in scientific knowledge and far ahead in the technologies of printing, naval navigation, and ammunition (dynamite). However, the worst political mistake in the history of world civilization was almost certainly a decision made by the fourth Emperor Hongi in the Ming Dynasty to destroy the Chinese fleet; the last long voyage overseas was ended in 1433. The exploration of new territories across the oceans was terminated along with the abolition of a capable fleet of ships that could make long trips.