Two of Pakistan's top diplomats met China's foreign minister in Shanghai this week, using the sidelines of a global artificial intelligence conference to lock in expanded cooperation on emerging technologies and the next phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. The encounter signals a deliberate push by both governments to move their decades-old partnership beyond traditional infrastructure into high-tech domains. Main Developments Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday on the margins of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC). Both sides reaffirmed the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership and pledged deeper collaboration on artificial intelligence, the digital economy, science and technology, trade, and investment. Dar arrived with a sizable delegation that included Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Punjab Chief Minister's Adviser on AI Ali Mustafa Dar, Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority Chairman Bilal Bin Saqib, Additional Secretary for Asia Pacific Dr. Syed Asad Ali Gillani, and Pakistan's Chargé d'Affaires in Beijing Aizaz Khan. The group's composition underscores Islamabad's focus on weaving technology and digital assets into the bilateral agenda. Read also: 4 Key Issues Pakistan's GM Corn Review Must Address The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global developments, agreeing to maintain close coordination on mutual interests. An official statement described the meeting as a reinforcement of strategic cooperation and a shared commitment to innovation-driven growth. Background The Pakistan-China relationship has long been anchored by the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure network launched in 2015 that includes roads, railways, and energy projects. CPEC 2.0, the upgrade now under discussion, shifts emphasis toward industrial collaboration, technology transfer, and digital infrastructure. Artificial intelligence has emerged as a priority sector for both countries. China has invested heavily in AI development through state-backed initiatives, while Pakistan has begun establishing regulatory bodies such as the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority to govern emerging digital assets and AI applications. Why It Matters For Pakistan, the expanded partnership offers access to Chinese expertise and investment in high-growth fields like AI and the digital economy—sectors that could create jobs, modernize governance, and attract foreign capital. For China, deepening technology ties with Pakistan strengthens its influence in South Asia and provides a testbed for its AI and digital infrastructure exports under the Belt and Road Initiative. The meeting also signals continuity in bilateral relations despite regional tensions and global economic headwinds. By choosing the WAIC as the venue, both sides publicly linked their strategic partnership to the global technology race. What's Next No specific timeline or deliverables were announced from the Shanghai meeting. Observers expect follow-up working groups on AI cooperation and CPEC 2.0 project lists to emerge in coming months. The next high-level bilateral review may occur during a future session of the UN General Assembly or a CPEC joint cooperation committee meeting.