Final answer:
China's strengths, such as its size and wealth, debunk arguments for why the Industrial Revolution started in Europe.
Step-by-step explanation:
China had several strengths that debunk arguments for why the Industrial Revolution started in Europe. First, China's size, wealth, and military strength were unmatched in East Asia, eliminating the need to compete with other nations. Second, China's large and often poor population provided abundant labor at low wages, reducing the need for labor-saving machinery. Additionally, most coal deposits in China were located far from population centers, hindering the efficient use of coal for powering steam engines in factories. These factors contributed to China's inability to industrialize during that period.