The Chinese educational system for example supresses critical and out-of-the-box thinking. Basically killing any creativity needed to come up with a novel product.
Most educational systems in fact do this, its not just a chinese thing. Fortunately out of the population there are always a few free minded individuals who say "MEH to that" and go and be creative anyway. An above average number seem to lurk around here though.
![Smiley :)](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/xsmiley.gif.pagespeed.ic.R8GFI-pF6f.png)
Some interesting inventions that the chinese were responsible for included;
Paper, Movable type printing, GunPowder, The compass, Alcohol, Clocks, Tea Production, Silk, Umbrellas, Iron Smelthing, Bronze, Kites, Growing food in rows, Toothbrushes, and paper money.