The Noldor as exceptions to the westward direction, are, is indeed an exceptional event, coming on the breath of oath and crimes against Elvendom, as it were. Besides, they didn't exactly establish empire when the reached Beleriand. Rather, they laid claim to empty land and split it between various separate hereditary kingdoms.
The Numenoreans did establish empire, and only in the waning of their culture and wisdom (if not power).
Was this not true of Rome, though, too? It could be said that the heart of Rome had left Rome by 14 B.C., could it not? I don't know enough about China to comment intelligently on that comparison. Seems like a completely different kettle of fish.
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