Why did european nations carve out spheres of influence in china?

They took advantage of China´s weakness and backwardness in the 19th century. They wanted to control territories  and free ports exempted from Chinese jurisdiction to conduct trade and enjoy economic and commercial privileges.

Explanation:

the correct answer is a) egypt and china.

egypt and china are two of the world’s oldest civilizations known by man. both ancient empires have left a great historic and cultural legacy to the world through archeology. both civilzations developed complex social relations, had deep religious beliefs, had dominion of agriculture and left writing records to understand their customs and culture.

among the requirements to consider a civilization, we find urbanization, writing records, a place of residence, agriculture methods, technological specialization, means of transportation, currency, population density, social stratification, and political integration.