I wouldn’t underestimate the Chinese. They have a much larger tolerance for loss of human life so they may progress faster.
Launch systems work virtually autonomously. Tolerance to loss of life isn't as meaningful as it was in the Apollo era.
https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/09/another-chinese-rock...
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/jan/19/health-f...