[close04]

The definition is probably not very precise. They started a war of aggression and every other country is tiptoeing around them. Iraq was also a regional power and got a very different treatment. So the “power” line isn’t so clear.

China on the other hand doesn’t get visibly involved in almost any remote conflict and they’re obviously a (if not the) superpower.

[wiseowise]

Russia has neither industrial nor economic base to project power outside of its sphere of influence. The only reason why everyone tiptoes around them is because they’re world’s gas station that attacked world’s bread basket. And largest stockpile of nukes.

China has everything that Russia lacks and more.

[close04]

When you have no power you get stomped. That “only” reason is (part of) the superpower.

China was another example of superpower “style”. Not the Russian or US “let’s invade this country” or “let’s kidnap that leader”.