I was alive and an adult back then and vividly remember the growing might of the Soviet military.  Their very first aircraft carriers were under construction, the S300 air defense missile system was just being fielded along with the short ranged 9K33 Osa, replacing the old ZSU-23/4 AA gun for low level air defense.  The T-80 tank was being introducted to replace the T-64 in Soviet Armored units (remember Soviet armored divisions received better tanks than their motor-rifle divisions).  New phased array radars were showing up on ships and on the ground.  The MiG-29, SU-27, Mi-28 and Ka-32 were all coming on line.  Lots of new and highly advanced for the era equipment showing up in their military.  From outside they looked increasingly powerful and threatening.

However a point could be made that China looks tougher than it is in some ways.  The CCP is every bit as corrupt and venal as the old Soviet Communist Party.  Xi has many enemies within the CCP and the Chinese people have no love of them.  My own family there sees them as more of an occupying force and ignores their rules at every opportunity.  "The government does what it wants and we do what we want".  Mao savaged our family during the Cultural Revolution.  Momma is lucky to even be alive.  The Red Guards killed many of her colleagues.  The family was run out of their home and made to live in the countryside in poverty.  That has never been forgiven or forgotten. Chairman Xi is juggling a lot of daggars right now, some of which are of his own creation (Xinijiang, Hong Kong, SCS).  New daggers keep getting added to his juggling act (Swine flu, Covid-19 and now bubonic plague).  One has to wonder when he will drop some daggars and provide his enemies with the opening they are seeking.