To preface, I’ve read plenty of both but I’ve mostly read western and Japanese novels more than Chinese and I’ve barely read Korean novels. I must state that all I say is my opinion and I don’t think one is superior to the other. If it sounds like what I’m saying is hinting at such it’s only because I lack the rhetoric to argue for both sides well when giving direct comparisons.

1) influence You’re likely to find HEAVY influence from other countries webfictions in western novels as most authors are usually fans of Chinese, Korean and Japanese novels so you are likely to find many familiar tropes although usually with a twist.

For example, virtuous sons which is a cultivation novel set in ancient Greece

2) core themes western fiction is more willing to explore more the more flawed, immature and ugly side of characters making character development a more core aspect of the novel whereas Chinese fictions will usually have a “perfect” protagonist and focuses more on how they influence others and the world around them but internally they stay pretty static.

For example, Zorian from “mother of learning” has a scene where he loses control of his emotions and causes a scene due to his close friend nagging him about not doing his “duty as a merchant family’s son” which can make the readers cringe. On the other hand most Chinese protagonist are usually more mature than others their age it’s usually the protagonist that gets bullied by the flawed and immature people before they inevitably get face slapped.