If the game was for power then it would not require expansion and trade - China like all other nations is an animal that needs to grow its “food supply”. There is no argument on the miserable situation in Pakistan and the overall generous terms the Chinese offer on assistance, but this narrative of brotherhood is misplaced because it is only at the state level as a partnership. We all read the abuse on Islam from Chinese posters here and understand well where opinions stand. To think that somehow those opinions and ideals are forgotten when Pakistanis are concerned is foolish of Pakistanis in general.Without Pakistan we still have the most critical northern border covered: Russia and North Korea. China and Russia form an independent block in terms of all economic activity.
If things get too tough we can simply retire behind our deterrence and live our life. Mountains, deserts and oceans separate us from our adversaries. Nobody can existentially threaten China right now, so our game isn't playing for survival, it is playing for power. If we lose it's not like we're going to get defeated and occupied.
But Pakistan? Your capital is a 5 hour drive from India across flat plains. Your game is survival. Who really needs who?
And you may notice that not once has a single Chinese poster said anything negative about Pakistan without massive provocation from ex-Pakistanis.
It is natural to retaliate to provocation.
We know where Indians stand too, and the deterrent stands there too. If the Chinese are happy to accuse the US of expansionism and conflict(which they do engage in) then they too sit on the horn of Djibouti and play their interests there. I’d rather call out sanctimonious positions on both sides regardless of echo chamber efforts by a known organized internet army.