China was a major economic power and attracted many to the east, and for many the legendary wealth and prosperity of the ancient culture of India personified Asia, attracting European commerce, exploration and colonialism.
tʃˈaɪnə wʌzɐ mˈeɪdʒɚɹ ˌiːkənˈɑːmɪk pˈaʊɚ ænd ɐtɹˈæktᵻd mˈɛni tə ðɪ ˈiːst, ænd fɔːɹ mˈɛni ðə lˈɛdʒəndɚɹi wˈɛlθ ænd pɹəspˈɛɹᵻɾi ʌvðɪ ˈeɪntʃənt kˈʌltʃɚɹ ʌv ˈɪndiə pɜːsˈɑːnᵻfˌaɪd ˈeɪʒə, ɐtɹˈæktɪŋ jˌʊɹɹəpˈiən kˈɑːmɜːs, ɛksploːɹˈeɪʃən ænd kˈɑːloʊnˌɪəlˌɪzəm.