During Sui, Tang and Song dynasties (From 581 to 1279) China stayed the world's greatest economy and, more importantly, was the most advanced society in the world. Inventions such as gunpowder, woodblock printing and the magnetic compass were improved upon.
New food production techniques were created during this era. China, focused on trade and economic growth, included machines to manufacture goods and coal as a source of energy for the first time.
In fact, the advances offered by the Song Dynasty in the 11th and 12th centuries have been considered an "early" industrial revolution.