China was insulated from the Scientific and Industrial Revolutions occurring in Europe because of its self-imposed isolation. As a result,

Because China limited contact with Europe, it was less exposed to the scientific and industrial changes transforming European economies and militaries. Europe therefore gained an increasing technological advantage, while China’s relative power declined. This makes “the West surged ahead of China while China began its slow decline” the best answer.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.