How did the europeans view the Chinese in the 1400s?

In the 1400s, Europeans viewed the Chinese as a highly advanced civilization, particularly in terms of technology, culture, and trade. The Chinese were admired for their innovations such as printing, gunpowder, and silk production. However, Europeans also held a sense of superiority, often perceiving China as a distant, exotic land that was both fascinating and inscrutable. This duality in perception reflected a mix of admiration and condescension typical of the era's attitudes towards non-European cultures.