They can do well on tests, but suck at decency, on average, on average

It's pretty easy to fake exam stats if the entire country is corrupt. The only thing they're smart at is stealing for the US and then playing the victim card when you call them out. Ancient Chinese had some decent inventions, but Mao pretty much killed traditional China with his cultural revolution. As far as I know, CCP China hasn't invented shit, all they do is steal.