Filippo Boni is a Lecturer in Politics and International Studies at The Open University, UK.

"The work is thoroughly researched, combines empirical data with theory, is well documented and is up-to-date. The field work and interviews help fill many gaps left in earlier studies. The author’s novel approach to study the role of the Pakistani military in relations with China makes it a worthwhile read. The book is a valuable addition to growing scholarship on Sino-Pakistan relations and is recommended for both general readers and specialists on South Asian and Asian studies."Ghulam Ali, Journal of Chinese Political Science"Where Boni's work truly stands out above the rest is his use of an analytical framework within which he measures Pakistan's civil-military influence in policymaking with regard to China". Eram Ashraf, Pakistan Horizon"Boni familiarises his readers with factors which engendered and still maintain much consistency in Pakistan-China bilateral relations by providing a framework for understanding both their evolution and continuity"Najam Abbas, Bloomsbury Pakistan"The book adds to our understanding of the evolving dynamics of China-Pakistan relations. Rather than analysing relations between the two countries from an international relations perspective, Boni grounds his analysis in Pakistan’s domestic politics and civil-military relations within the country. The book provides important insights regarding the impact of domestic politics within host countries on China’s BRI at a broader level. It also brings to the fore China’s increasing role within the domestic politics of countries that are part of the BRI."Muhammad Tayyab Safdar, University of Virginia, USA, Commonwealth & Comparative Politics

• 1 Introduction; 2 Analytical framework: civil-military relations and the extent of military influence in politics; 3 The origins and evolution of Pakistan’s relations with China: 1950-2001; 4 Pakistan’s gateway to the Indian Ocean: the origins and evolution of the Port of Gwadar; 5 The BRI’s "Flagship Project": politico-military dynamics of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor; 6 Brothers in Arms: Sino-Pakistani relations in Afghanistan; 7 Conclusions

Filippo Boni is a Lecturer in Politics and International Studies at The Open University, UK.

"The work is thoroughly researched, combines empirical data with theory, is well documented and is up-to-date. The field work and interviews help fill many gaps left in earlier studies. The author’s novel approach to study the role of the Pakistani military in relations with China makes it a worthwhile read. The book is a valuable addition to growing scholarship on Sino-Pakistan relations and is recommended for both general readers and specialists on South Asian and Asian studies."Ghulam Ali, Journal of Chinese Political Science"Where Boni's work truly stands out above the rest is his use of an analytical framework within which he measures Pakistan's civil-military influence in policymaking with regard to China". Eram Ashraf, Pakistan Horizon"Boni familiarises his readers with factors which engendered and still maintain much consistency in Pakistan-China bilateral relations by providing a framework for understanding both their evolution and continuity"Najam Abbas, Bloomsbury Pakistan"The book adds to our understanding of the evolving dynamics of China-Pakistan relations. Rather than analysing relations between the two countries from an international relations perspective, Boni grounds his analysis in Pakistan’s domestic politics and civil-military relations within the country. The book provides important insights regarding the impact of domestic politics within host countries on China’s BRI at a broader level. It also brings to the fore China’s increasing role within the domestic politics of countries that are part of the BRI."Muhammad Tayyab Safdar, University of Virginia, USA, Commonwealth & Comparative Politics

• 1 Introduction; 2 Analytical framework: civil-military relations and the extent of military influence in politics; 3 The origins and evolution of Pakistan’s relations with China: 1950-2001; 4 Pakistan’s gateway to the Indian Ocean: the origins and evolution of the Port of Gwadar; 5 The BRI’s "Flagship Project": politico-military dynamics of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor; 6 Brothers in Arms: Sino-Pakistani relations in Afghanistan; 7 Conclusions