Napolean was right about Russia too - which is why he lost an army there ...
About China and projecting power - Pakistan, North Korea, Iran, Sudan are their projected power. Think of oppressive regimes, failed states and you would see China's benevolent power behind their thrones. China is building up it's hard power, while projecting it's "soft" power onto some of the worst regimes in the world.
I remember someone from the Chinese side claimed on another post that China "has no outstanding problems/ conflicts with any of it's neighbors" or something of that sort. So, "claiming China's legitimate rights" has no conflicts associated - is that it? Hmmm, wonder what "power projection" will be like.