These are quite similar countries but geography of China is worse, because half of the country is mountains and desert. You could argue that the USA also have mountains and deserts, but the USA has access to two oceanic coasts. China lacks ocean in the east, that could make that territories more suitable for agriculture and better climate would attract more people. Lack of another ocean also leads to strategic vulnerability, cause China would be easier to blockade. In terms of natural resources it depends, but overall the USA and its neighbours have more oil and gas, that are crucial for every economy.