Pakistan president heads to China amid strained US ties (AFP)

by Ben Sheppard 5 minutes ago ISLAMABAD (AFP) - Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari flies to China on Tuesday seeking economic investment and support for his country as its ties with the United States come under increasing strain. Pakistan is one of China's closest allies in Asia, with Beijing seeing the country as a counter-balance to India. Islamabad has been a key ally of the United States in its "war on terror," but that relationship is on rocky ground due to Pakistan's inability to shut down Taliban and Al-Qaeda fighters based in its tribal belt. Though the four-day visit is Zardari's first state visit since he assumed office in September, he met US President George W. Bush in New York late last month for the UN General Assembly. Retired army general Talat Masood told AFP that Zardari was still "learning on the job" and... [read full story]