Country requiring careful handling (5)

I believe the answer is:

china

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'country' is the definition.
(I know that China is a great power)

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for china that I've seen before include "World's most populous country" , "Ceramic ware" , "Household ceramics" , "Country; friend (slang)" , "Land" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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