Why did Russia become so poor after USSR collapsed but China became so rich after market economy?

[George Washington]

China is indeed a thriving nation. China has the second largest economy on Earth (US$5 trillion) and its GDP has been growing at 10% annually for the last decade. China has a middle class larger than the entire population of the United States. Economic opportunity is everywhere, though it is most evident in China's cities.

With the exception of its lucrative oil and gas industries, Russia has struggled since the fall of the Soviet Union. Boris Yeltsin was too focused on democracy and not enough on economics. Vladimir Putin seems too focused on his own image and rekindling nationalism. Once again, the focus needs to be on economic development like it is in China.

China's post-Mao leadership has emphasized practical solutions for economic development and social challenges. Improved standard of living, access to education, health care, and social justice have brought China from a humble position 30 years ago to its present economic super-power status. Creating economic opportunity through a well regulated capitalist system has produced great success for China.

I don't understand the remarks from "sailor8". He claims to live in America while his wife lives in poverty in China? That's strange. I wish that my 5 ex-wives would live in poverty.