Actually that is inaccurate Stephen, British only become most powerful by 19th century, during 18th century, most of Europe (including British) was still in 2nd world status. Then China was more like the modern US, which mean they don't conquer despite been the most powerful, but was the leader of the free world, but only get military involve, when self interest was involved. But their more modernize none conquering position frequently leads many modern westerners to think they don't conquer because they are weak.
During the 17th century, Europeans was conquering everywhere they go, but they had lots of problem establishing dominance in Asia, There was lots of recorded war from that era, all western domination was short live and last for less then a few months. Mostly due to China strike back. To say the west actually have dominate in Asia before 19th century, is like somebody from 300 years later thinking the Taliban dominated the US, in the early 21st century, purely base on their short live success, on September 11 bombing the twin tower. It was much the same case, then Europe came to conquer and establish dominance usually in outer islands and Chinese waters, the Asians usually give them 2~3 warning, and if the Europeans still ignore it, the Chinese attack, but because, military response time during the 17th century, was slower during that time in history, it usually take 1~2 months for the Chinese military to strike back and drive the Europeans out, but it did allow Europeans short live control of certain parts of Asia coast and waters, but to say Europe was more powerful then Asia base on that, is to say the Taliban is more powerful then the US, because they managed to bomb us on September 11. Macau for example, despite been a Portugal colony, it was only owned, by paying China yearly tribute, after Portugal failed to invade China in early 17th century and brings its riches back to Europe, like it did with South America, they try to establish trade, China agree and leased Macau to Portugal, since it make no sense for Chinese traders to travel to Europe for trade, as it got little to offer in trade. There is another war with Portugal when it try to conquer Malaysia and a 3rd one over slavery, as China was anti slavery and was providing blacks with asylum, I know one war with Spain, due to its attempt to control Asia water and Spain did control those waters for a few months, till Asia navy strike back. But Europe did control Taiwan, Philipine and Indonesia, those places due to been islands, was isolated from Asia mainland and was still in stone age, when Europeans arrive, the Chinese saw little interest they can gain via helping them and didn't send troops, to drive the Europeans out and only send troops to drive the Dutch out of Taiwan by mid 17th century, the Chinese's excuse was to liberate the Aboriginal Taiwanese from Dutch rule, but their real reason was to, use it as a navel military base to fight the Manchurians.
But by mid 17th century, China was no longer the most powerful country in Asia either, due to civil war and economic melt down, this allow the Manchurians to conquer China, Mongolia, Tibet, Xian Jiang and finally by early 18th century the last defense post of the Chinese, which is Taiwan. The Manchurian Empire, is the Qing dynasty you are talking about.
As an ill attempt to secure their power, the Qing dynasty established a highly monopolized government structure, local government power was dramatically decreas
