Amazing, what a small world. Did he happen to tell you how they knew about the jet stream and, more than that, where they were 'streaming' at any given time.? As I recall, the timers were primitive and simple albeit, very effective.
I wonder what he bases his comment about the Mongols on. The Japanese and Chinese are very sensative about maintaining that their cultures developed without any outside, especially western, influence. I've read that the Japanese have ancient drawings/paintings of Samurai that clearly show their western like features but, these are always locked away....even researchers are prohibited from viewing.
I would be the least suprised if/when the the tomb of the first emperor (Chi'in) of (all) China is opened and a tall red-headed guy is discovered. BTW, it was reported yesterday that a graveyard from the Han dynasty was discovered during work on the Three Gorges Dam.