Chinese society is ingrained with the "get ahead by besting your peers". That sort of mentality is not conducive to creativity. It is stifling. It forces one to take the shortest path all the time without any opportunity for making constructive mistakes.
And I don't buy the mentality of Chinese kids coming to US universities and solidifying their critical thinking skills. They congregate into throngs of Chinese students which perpetuate the Asian version of the "keeping up with the jones'" lifestyle. Trendy t-shirts and designer jeans, flocking to the basketball courts to ape Yao and JLin, nary an independent thought lest they should offend the echo chamber. "Why do we do what we do? Because we are told. Sure I can recite that the uninspected life is not worth living... But do I understand it?"
Furthermore, you see in Chinese pockets a lack of respect for their fellows should one fall by the wayside, whether it's the victims own fault or not. Those with weakness (or being different) are cast aside like lepers. It disgusts me. And to my original point, it stifles creativity.
The Japanese at least have Murakami. What celebration is there in China for revolt and indignation?
The Chinese competing with American innovation? Get real, and go F yourself (the preceding inserted as a provocative demonstration of American anti-normism, vote me down, square peg).