If the Chinese zero fee exchanges still existed we would be nowhere still. The rest of the world slavishly followed them for whatever reason even though it was four teenagers and their bots. As soon as there was a rise in the West, China shat on it and it was back to square one for weeks or months.
We only managed a new ATH because China was out of the game. When it came back into the game it was just another market that the rest of the world wasn't paying much attention to.
Bitcoin's price would never reach its potential with China in the frame. It has no purpose or use there other than gambling. We're well rid.
I also agree with the comment abouve. China always make speculation negatively, they don't have any positive effect on bitcoin market. So I don't expect them to be beneficial for the environment.