As the Taliban march on the Pakistani capital of Islamabad only see*ms to be menacingly inevitable, the stance of China is the biggest question baffling analysts. Pakistan is threatened by Jihadi groups, every day suffering from unnumbered and countless attacks in all odd parts of the country. The groups are increasingly attacking the heartlands, among the educated crowds, cities, places considered traditionally out of bounds. Motivated by religious fanaticism these groups have infiltrated the armed forces, as evident from their well-executed plans, which cannot be done without some amount of inside help.

China, however, turned a blind eye, and irrevocably pledged friendship with Pakistan, without asking any complicated questions.  But the question is: how far can China go in its support for a state which can be termed at worst rogue, or, at best, failed?