Final answer:
Foreign interaction threatened traditional Chinese society including economic practices, legal sovereignty, and the social fabric. Foreign goods and infrastructure projects affected local jobs, and legal exceptions for foreigners caused resentment. The opposition to modernization based on Confucian ideals contributed to China adopting an isolationist policy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Aspects of Chinese society that were threatened by foreign interaction included traditional ways of life, economic practices, and legal sovereignty. The influx of foreign manufactured goods undermined local artisans and disrupted the economy. The building of infrastructure like railroads by imperialists resulted in job loss for porters, cart drivers, and ferriers, further impacting the local economy. Moreover, the presence of foreign missionaries who challenged ancestor veneration rituals and converted some family members to Christianity, created social discord and cultural erosion. Foreigners in China were often not subject to Chinese law, which threatened the principle of legal sovereignty and caused resentment among the Chinese population.
Resistance to modernization was also a critical aspect, as the Self-Strengthening Movement faced opposition from officials adhering to Confucian ideals, who saw the shift towards science and technology as a threat to their power. Foreign investment in railways and factories was met with reluctance, revealing a deep-seated fear of losing control over important sectors to outsiders. The culmination of these factors led to an isolationist policy, as evidenced by actions such as Zheng He's voyages coming to an end, with China increasing its seclusion from the world and focusing on internal development, including the extension of the Great Wall.