China could probably have done so if their huge fleets (with hundreds of ships) of exploration of the 13th and 14th centuries didn't suddenly stop for likely po

China could probably have done so if their huge fleets (with hundreds of ships) of exploration of the 13th and 14th centuries didn't suddenly stop for likely political reasons. They went at least as far as the Roman Empire and Africa. https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/chinese-exploration-voyages-cheng-ho-1405-1433 https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/encyclopedias-almanacs-... > The difference between the experiences of Europe and China were economic and cultural rather than technological. As the voyages of Cheng Ho demonstrate, the Chinese certainly possessed the maritime technology and expertise to undertake long voyages of discovery. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ming_treasure_voyages https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ming_treasure_voyages > In 1435, when the Xuande Emperor died, the civil officials started to gain power as the new emperor, the Zhengtong Emperor, was only eight years old when he ascended the throne and could be influenced.[186] They seized this opportunity to permanently dismantle the voyages.