Since we're on the subject of the Chinese industrial base.
Undoubtedly, though it's hinted at, but never explicitly stated, there are substitutes for materials that go into the make up of a starship.
So, with enough research and development, any advanced enough system restricted civilization could construct a starship.
However, some systems can promote competitive advantages that their industrial base have over nearby systems, so in theory, especially since they're all part of the same interstellar polity, they should concentrate on their niche specialties, and trade them for other systems'.
That's why computer mice are manufactured in Shenzhen, presumably, and not down the road from me.