Why there is almost no innovation in China for more than 2000 years

China is a great nation, we have the longest continuous history in the world, we have been the most developed country in the world, but now we are lagged far away from west countries. The reason is that our culture is respect predecessors, we don’t encourage innovation. So, we can see that there almost nothing changed during more than 2000 years from Qin dynasty to Qing dynasty.
The emperors followed their predecessors, the people followed emperors, the wives follow their husbands, and the sons followed their fathers. There was only follow, no challenge, no innovation.
The only field our Chinese people can release innovation is cooking. So we have the widest food range, some peoples said that the 5000 years of Chinese culture is the culture of eating.

It’s good to see that now Chinese people have different thought, and we also encourage innovation. Although there are worries that lack of religion is a big problem of current China, I think innovation in every field is more important.

Now, there is great opportunity for China, for we already have strong production industry, which is essential base for innovation and the practice of innovation.

Education and social culture are very important for innovation. We need foster a culture of encourage innovation and different ideas. The education system need help students to find their interest and advantage.

I’m optimistic that in next 20 years, Chinese people contribute a lot for the world, just as we have done in eating culture. Although there are many obstacle need to be clean, but we have know where we need to go.

I think China do has some innovations in more than 2000years.
But I agree your perspective that China is lack of innovations.
The problem is complex and so big.

Education is the key problem.
China's education system has been focusing too much on rote learning. As a result, students are very good at memorizing, but unable to think independently and come up with their own idea.
China's culture also discourages dissidents, which prevents young people from raising their own idea that mignt be different from their seniors or managers. Gradually, they get used to following the way they are told and saying what their leader wants to hear. That's why China always sits low at the value chain......

yes, this is a big problem faced by China, especially in this rapid-developed world. no innovation, no profit and no power. the follower can not be a giant.