This is very interesting because Indian food is spicy (with actual spices as opposed to being chilli hot) because the hot and humid climates meant food spoiled

This is very interesting because Indian food is spicy (with actual spices as opposed to being chilli hot) because the hot and humid climates meant food spoiled easy. Spices and oil were a way to make sure food didn't go bad ... Or disguise the rotten flavor in food. China is fundamentally a cold country - they would not have evolved their culinary history in the same way.