Question

why did China reject overseas expansion?

Answer 1

Lack of a blue-water navy.

Answer 2

@Carl_Pham ....are u serious

Answer 3

Of course. You'll note that every nation that did pursue aggressive and successful overseas expansion -- in historical order Rome, Portugal, Spain and Great Britain -- was a seafaring nation with a powerful navy. Nations that are strongly continental -- the Mongols, Russia, France and Germany -- did not generally pursue or succeed at overseas expansion or imperialism. Heck, even the Dutch, rather small country, experienced good success at sprinkling overseas colonies across the globe, because of their remarkable seamanship and shipbuilding abilities.

That isn't to say that this is the reason the Chinese told themselves, or others, that they did not pursue overseas colonies or imperialism. But I assume you wanted the reason, not the rationalization. If you want the rationalization -- I have no idea.

Answer 4

thats good enough thanks