SHANGHAI — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Shanghai on Thursday for a two-day official visit to formalize Pakistan’s entry into the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO) as a founding member.
The establishment of WAICO, initially proposed by China last year, aims to create an international framework for artificial intelligence governance, serving as an alternative to Western-dominated tech structures.
High-Level Welcome and Bilateral Agenda
Upon landing, Dar was received by Shanghai Vice Mayor Wu Wei, alongside Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires to China Aizaz Khan and Consul General Shahzad Ahmad Khan.
During his visit, Dar is scheduled to hold a crucial bilateral meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to discuss regional security, strategic alignment, and bilateral economic cooperation.
According to the Foreign Office, Dar will use his platform at the summit to advocate for the development needs of the Global South. His agenda focuses heavily on:
- Bridging the Global AI Divide: Preventing technological monopolies and ensuring developing countries have equitable access to foundational AI models.
- Capacity Building: Securing technology transfers and educational training initiatives to help developing nations integrate AI safely into their economies.
- Inclusive Governance: Promoting a balanced global regulatory framework that values low-cost, open-source technology as a public good.
WAIC 2026: A Geopolitical and Technological Arena
The signing ceremony coincides with the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2026 and a High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance. This year’s summit has transformed from a mere technology showcase into a major geopolitical stage.
As Washington and Beijing prepare for direct bilateral talks on AI, China is showcasing its capability to build state-of-the-art technological ecosystems independent of US chips:
| Highlighted Launch / Initiative | Strategic Purpose | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Huawei Atlas 950 SuperPoD | Alternate hardware architecture | A massive AI computing cluster linking thousands of Ascend processors to bypass US Nvidia chip curbs. |
| DeepSeek V4 Integration | Open-source ecosystem | The latest Chinese large language model, adapted to run entirely on domestic Huawei chipsets. |
| Global AI Governance Initiative | Multilateral diplomatic alignment | Promoting affordable, open-source AI as a public good to prevent Western technological monopolies. |
Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to outline Beijing’s vision for global AI governance on Friday. The conference features high-level international delegates, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, alongside leading global AI researchers, though representation from major US tech giants remains minimal.
