China had a centralized government with no internal disturbance. They were working to eliminate all traces of foreign rule and discouraging using anything that emanated anything mongol and instead promoted Confucianism. China was incredibly self sufficient and had no interest in acquiring foreign goods. They believed merchants should come buy their goods. They focused more on the weak north border than on exploration.
Europe had a very fragmented system of states that were competitive and dived. Some taxed citizens efficiently and had infrastructures, while others didn't. There were also many internal wars. They believed they had surpass the the confined religious world and moved on to the Renaissance period. Europe craved the wealth that belonged to Africa and Asia. They were looking for power as well as new trade routes so they didn't have to go through the Muslim empire. Europe had goals of spreading their religion and culture around the world.
