The Western Catholic Christian world was less developed in comparison to Tang and Song dynasty China due to smaller cities, weaker political authorities, a fragmented political structure, a less commercialized economy, and inferior technology. It was also a more militarized society.
However, the Orthodox Christian world was more similar to Tang and Song dynasty China because of comparable cities, a powerful emperor, a unified government, a professional bureaucracy, a commercialized economy, and a technologically advanced society.