Actually, for most of its history China was intensely creative, with many if not most inventions originating there. Gunpowder, compass, crossbow, stirrups (debated), windmills, paper, paper money, printing (block), rockets, a great many irrigation methods, etc., etc., etc. It's a very, very long list, though not quite as long as some sinophiles claim.
Then sometime between 1600 and 1800 China just stopped being inventive, with very rare exceptions, even dropped many of the technologies they'd already developed.
Why this is the case has a long history of debate, with no real agreement reached. It's known as "Needham's Question" for those who are interested in looking into it.
Thanks to opium.