I also don't believe there is a genetic difference, however I think there is a clear cultural difference which favors westerners. Asian culture with its emphasi

I also don't believe there is a genetic difference, however I think there is a clear cultural difference which favors westerners. Asian culture with its emphasis on harmony and respect for the elders does not IMHO foster radical innovation. A key problem for China is that it is united. This stifles competition in ideas of how to organize society. Europe has benefited tremendously from being divided. That has prevented Europe from stagnating the way China did for hundreds of years. One stupid ruler can bring down all of China. One stupid European leader can't bring down the whole of Europe. It is also false to consider Europe being a laggard in earlier times just because it was behind in maths and higher learning. One tends to think the Roman empire was so superior due to its progress in the arts and sciences. However medieval Europe saw far more progress in e.g. machinery and labour saving devices. Windmills, waterwheels, better plows etc was developed in this period. In the short term the unit of China reaped a lot of benefits in the form of having much more peace. Europe suffered many setbacks due to the frequency of wars. But in the long run this proved a benefit. The fierce competitive nature of westerners could not be countered by harmony focused asian cultures.