Why did China suffer so much in the last 150 years except for the recent 50 years?
Weak national defense is the reason.
Qing dynasty and Japanese invasion with all these countries attacking China to get the wealth or TEA to feed their colonial appetite , not just China, but also other countries. Opening up trade for THEIR benefit.
Actually the feudal landlord system with the maids and servants is NOT a good life either. Kind of like slavery not based on race but purchase to have something to eat.
Not any more.
Chinese is no longer the East Asian Sick Men.