Yeah, but did Britain ever go full out colonialism on them?  I don't think they ever did. 

Yeah, but did Britain ever go full out colonialism on them?   I don't think they ever did. 

After the Industrial Revolution it was less for colonies to send folks and  more for an empire to provide raw materials and markets for the finished products.Throw in a big helping of the White Man's Burden too.

… or his wife?

Britain did not need or desire to have complete control of the Chinese to get what they wanted, gunboat diplomacy and the threat of force was plenty for British purposes.

So, are bragging, or complaining?

I'd say neither... just a matter of the historical record.