How did China manage to become a superpower without being an imperialist or colonizer?

Question

How did China manage to become a superpower without being an imperialist or colonizer?

Answer 1

It didn't.  In addition to the states listed in the first response (where Viet Nam doesn't really belong), add Tibet.  But China, although large, hardly qualifies as a superpower.

Answer 2

A large population and a large country made industrialization during the 20th century relatively easy.

On the other hand Britain is a smaller country that needed resources and labor.Because of this they colonized places around the world to support their industry.

Today their economic growth is also helped by foreign investment but also their government can do things like limit movement to stop overcrowding and make a new factory without respecting the citizens who live there. For example India has almost the same population and also receives foreign investment yet is growing at slower pace. Because they are a democracy they can't do some of the things China does.  

Answer 3

It didn't.

You might want to ask that question of the Manchurians, Koreans, and the Vietnamese some time.

Answer 4

  China was imperial up until the fall of the last Dynasty in the start of the 20th century. They even made a big money movie about that.  The Communists just hide what they are doing better than the others did, the history of most of the 20th century was one of sadness in China that still lasts today. Too many people, not enough resources, no Money, Bad Government. Superpower only because the Soviets gave them the Bomb, even Russia said it was a big mistake. Maybe we should have paid more attention in 1945.