China is not centrally located between the East and West in a geographical sense. It is located in the eastern part of the Eurasian continent. However, China has historically been a central area in terms of its connections between the East and West, due to its strategic location on the Silk Road, which was a major trade route connecting Europe and Asia.
The Silk Road was a network of trade routes that connected East Asia, Central Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and Europe from the 2nd century BCE to the mid-15th century. The Silk Road facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies between different civilizations, and China played a central role in this exchange.
During the Tang Dynasty (618-907), China was the dominant power in East Asia and its capital, Chang'an, was a major hub on the Silk Road. Chinese goods, such as silk, tea, and porcelain, were traded along the Silk Road and reached Europe. In return, China received goods from the West, such as horses, textiles, and glass.
The Mongol Empire (1206-1368) further expanded the Silk Road and connected China with Europe more directly. Under the Mongols, the Silk Road became a major conduit for trade between East and West.
After the collapse of the Mongol Empire, the Silk Road declined in importance. However, China continued to be a central area in terms of its connections between the East and West. In the 16th century, Portuguese traders established a trade route between China and Europe via the Indian Ocean. This trade route became known as the China Trade.
The China Trade flourished in the 17th and 18th centuries, and China became a major supplier of tea, silk, and porcelain to Europe. In the 19th century, the British established a colony in Hong Kong, which became a major port for trade between China and the West.
Today, China is one of the world's leading economic powers and it plays a central role in global trade. China is a major trading partner with both the East and the West, and it is a key player in the Belt and Road Initiative, which is a major infrastructure project that aims to connect China with other countries in Asia, Europe, and Africa.