Xi's Embrace: What China's 'Unbreakable' Friendship with Pakistan Means for Regional Power Dynamics As President Xi Jinping welcomed Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Beijing, he hailed their countries' "unbreakable" friendship as a cornerstone of his neighborhood diplomacy.
The warmth of the encounter belies deeper complexities in the relationship between two nations that have come under increasing strain due to terrorist attacks on Chinese nationals and infrastructure projects in Pakistan.
China's categorization of Pakistan as an "all weather strategic partner" has long been a source of intrigue, particularly given Islamabad's recent attempts to balance its ties with Beijing while also seeking closer relations with Washington.