True, but as far as I know we don't have any official documents, mandates, about this turn inward.
While for Qing we have a ton of proof about this policy.
I'd definitely use Qing as the archetypal example of isolationism. Especially since Qing was the absolute peak of China in terms of territorial expansion, global influence, share of the world economy. Qing China in 1650 - 1700 truly had no rival.
Fair enough - to be honest I got all excited about the gunpowder timeline. Poor historian I would make.
The general point about living on the edge of chaos and it falling in either side still stands - although if you do fall, falling like the Ming / Qing is waaaay better :-)
While for Qing we have a ton of proof about this policy.
I'd definitely use Qing as the archetypal example of isolationism. Especially since Qing was the absolute peak of China in terms of territorial expansion, global influence, share of the world economy. Qing China in 1650 - 1700 truly had no rival.