Well, I guess (hope) no one thinks it is due to genetic disabilities which are preventing disrupting innovations from (mainland) chinese.

It is rather a cultural/political thing. Free thinking and stepping out of line is very dangerous in a authorian society. Copying approved tech on the other hand is safe.

And this culture has not changed in china lately, rather the opposite. Look what happened to the Alibaba founder, or why there is no more Winnie Puuh in china.