Key innovations of the Ming dynasty

The Ming dynasty was a period of imperial China that lasted from 1368 to 1644, characterized by a hereditary monarchy dominated by a single family.
Founded by Zhu Yuanzhang, it was an era characterized by bureaucracy, national defense, and artistic development.
During the Ming dynasty the government solidified the traditional civil service examination system, requiring government officials to pass an exam before starting a job; rejected the office of prime minister, establishing the emperor as the head of government; and deployed three agencies to govern each province and report back to the capital...all innovations that would remain in use until the end of the imperial government in the early 20th century.
Rather than expansion, the Ming dynasty primarily focused on defending the country against the Mongols and Japanese, as both of these groups were intent on conquering Chinese territory.
The Great Wall of China was maintained, repaired, and rebuilt as it was integral to the dynasty’s strategy of consolidating control over its territory while maintaining a relatively nonaggressive foreign policy.
Foreign armies and foreign ideas were almost equally unwelcome.
Finally, artisans began developing new techniques for decorating porcelain, a long-standing Chinese art form.
Monochromatic glazes in primary colors, red and blue underglazes, and overglaze—also called “enamel painting,” a method that was mimicked later by European artists—all emerged in the Ming dynasty.