Japan and Korea pretty much did the same thing, and they are not accused of lack innovation. And China is not actually lack of innovation nowadays, catch-up maybe but a strong player already.

There is nothing inherently in Chinese culture that prevents innovation. Innovated people gonna innovate, when they got the resources they need.

Poor country usually aren't very innovative, and China has become much richer at national level. To bet, there will be more innovations from China than not for the next several decades.