[SampleMan]

Don't underrate China. When Columbus sailed the Atlantic on his 60 foot Channel freighter, the Chinese were sailing around the world on 450 foot ships. They can do it.

That's like saying the Egyptians are great architects because of their proven prowess with pyramids.

3000 years and still eating with sticks, shows an inability to put efficiency first. Ships weren't the only technology shelved by the Chinese. Mechanical mills and farming implements were all cast aside to maintain their society's hierarchy.

[RightWhale]

Not all Chinese eat with sticks. Marco Polo did not report that they ate with sticks, which he would have if those he met did.