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Why is learning about the fall and rise of China important?

The obvious answer is the same reason it is important to learn about any culture in history, to learn the universal issues that have always faced every culture, and to learn from both the mistakes and successes of the past.

In addition to that, not only has China been around a long time (and it's history is fascinating) but the odds are that China will continue to have an expanding role in world affairs in the years ahead.  If the Western world is going to have to interact with China, and to the advancement of both cultures, we need to understand the mindset of that culture.  The "mental roadmap" of European-based cultures and China are considerably different, but there is enough overlap to make them mutually intelligable with a little effort and goodwill.

Your question is unclear because China has never fallen. However, China has an ancient history, a struggle against an 'Open Door Policy', the brutal imperialistic tendencies of Japan, Mao's communist revolution, nuclear weaponary, the denial of political freedom combined with new attitudes towards free enterprise. China's importance in global affairs will continue to grow for two reasons. 1- China is the most populated nation on the planet. 2- under their present state of politics requiring all males to enter the military...forgive me but they hold a 'disposable army', meaning that China can absorb more war casualties than other nation. In addition China's current economic desires  are in stark contrast to the nation's political climate, this might pose a threat to both the Chinese people as well as their allies around the globe. In the 21st century China is an extremely important nation with regard to world affairs, which is why education must include the study of China.