China: A New Melting Pot, Or a Salad Bowl?

I think it is interesting to consider the similarities and differences between what we have learned about China, and that we have learned of India. Both China, and India, seem to have an influx of different religions which have similar traits, and core beliefs, but differ in strategy.
For example, Hinduism and Buddhism both believe that in order to obtain a blissful life, and one without suffering, one must go through the cycles of a reincarnation system, before finally reaching their respective heavens. (This is primarily what we discussed in class today, nothing new really). Now the way they obtain the goal is different: see, in Hinduism, one must be the best person that they can in their class, to hopefully move up in the next life. Whereas, in Buddhism, people can begin to take action for themselves, by following the 4 noble truths and the eightfold path. In other words, Buddhists had the ability to change their fate, while Hindus maybe did not).
But, the same, I think, can be said of China. You have Confucianism which is modeled after the Confucius, and then you also have some sort of branch off of Confucianism, which is Taoism. Both are grounded on the idea that there is natural way to living, and that in order for nature to take it's course, there were certain rules that each respective group should follow. Now they way they obtain this similar core belief is very different. Taoists believe that one must act with the whole idea of nature in thought, and based many of their life actions and decisions on balance of Nature. Whereas, Confucianism followed a much more socially lead belief, of filial piety, and relationships with others).
Now what I think is particularly interesting is, whether India and China could be called a melting pot of religion, or a salad bowl? Meaning, Do you think India and/or China's religions and beliefs were able to melt together and work together/ work off of each other to become what they were, or do you think that these two places, and their respective belief systems, were just both there, but not really mixing/melting together to become a kind of culture? Meaning they both coexisted, but nothing more.