From Prof. Dr. He Hongmei
Over the past 75 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan, the two countries have built a close community with a shared future founded on generations of mutual trust. As the global geopolitical landscape undergoes profound transformation and technological change accelerates, the long-term resilience of bilateral relations increasingly depends not only on traditional areas of cooperation such as trade and infrastructure, but also on youth talent development, the responsible governance of emerging technologies, and stronger people-to-people connectivity.
Marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties, China and Pakistan are presented with a renewed opportunity to deepen institutionalized cooperation in frontier fields including artificial intelligence, the digital economy, and human resource development. Through universities, research institutions, and innovation platforms, the two countries are building collaborative talent networks and fostering deeper functional synergies. These efforts are generating new sources of endogenous growth and injecting fresh momentum into the upgrading of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) 2.0.
I. A Youth Cooperation Model Driven by Knowledge Exchange and Cross-Border Innovation
As global higher education becomes increasingly interconnected and technological innovation continues to transcend national boundaries, China has emerged as one of the most preferred destinations for Pakistani students pursuing higher education abroad. According to official data from the Embassy of Pakistan in China, nearly 29,000 Pakistani students are currently studying at Chinese universities and research institutions. These young scholars serve as important bridges between the two societies, contributing to deeper people-to-people ties while actively engaging in cutting-edge fields such as computer vision, biotechnology, renewable energy, and smart agriculture.
Supported by growing networks of collaboration between universities and research institutions, China and Pakistan have jointly undertaken a range of research projects and pilot initiatives in areas including artificial intelligence and digital agriculture. In provinces such as Punjab, technologies such as precision irrigation systems and drone-based crop monitoring are being gradually adopted, helping to accelerate the digital transformation of agricultural production while also improving the efficiency of local rural governance.
More broadly, this development model—anchored in youth exchanges and strengthened through scientific and technological cooperation—is gradually expanding China-Pakistan cooperation beyond its traditional project-driven framework toward a more knowledge-driven and talent-oriented partnership. On the one hand, it contributes to enhancing Pakistan’s capacity for cultivating scientific and technological talent and strengthening its innovation ecosystem. On the other hand, it facilitates the emergence of closer transnational networks for knowledge sharing, research collaboration, and technological coordination.
From the broader perspective of the Global South, this approach—centered on educational cooperation, capacity building, and technology-enabled human development—offers a valuable reference for developing countries seeking to deepen South-South cooperation and pursue shared pathways toward modernization and sustainable development.
II. Digital Dividends and Youth Entrepreneurship in the CPEC 2.0 Era
The inclusive growth of the digital economy has become one of the defining drivers of modernization in the twenty-first century. Pakistan possesses a significant demographic advantage. According to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2024–25 released by the Ministry of Finance, the country’s population aged 15–29 stands at approximately 66.3 million, accounting for around 26 percent of the total population. This youthful demographic provides a strong human capital foundation for digital transformation, innovation-driven entrepreneurship, and industrial upgrading.
As the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) enters its 2.0 phase, the upgrading of the bilateral free trade agreement, closer industrial cooperation, and deeper cross-border financial collaboration are creating new opportunities for economic integration. Against this backdrop, young entrepreneurs, innovators, and technology professionals from both countries are emerging as key drivers of digital cooperation. Through platforms such as cross-border e-commerce, digital payment solutions, and smart city initiatives, a new generation of young talent equipped with bilingual capabilities and global perspectives is helping bridge digital divides and facilitate technological connectivity across borders.
Collaboration between Chinese and Pakistani youth in areas such as algorithm development, digital innovation, and new business model exploration is generating tangible economic benefits. These partnerships are enhancing the quality and efficiency of bilateral trade, supporting the digital transformation of traditional industries in Pakistan, and unlocking new opportunities within the digital economy. More importantly, they are cultivating fresh sources of endogenous growth that can sustain long-term regional cooperation and shared prosperity in the years ahead.
III. Youth Commitment to Multilateralism and Global Governance
At a time when global challenges such as climate change, development deficits, and the digital divide are becoming increasingly prominent, Chinese and Pakistani youth are emerging as an important force in advancing multilateralism and strengthening global governance cooperation. Through the development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a growing number of young engineers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and volunteers have become actively involved in collaborative projects spanning energy, power generation, transportation, smart agriculture, and the digital economy.
By the end of 2024, cumulative investment in CPEC projects had reached approximately US$25.45 billion, directly creating around 248,000 jobs, including 188,000 positions for Pakistani workers. Over the past decade, landmark projects such as the Gwadar Port development, the Lahore Orange Line Metro Train, and the Suki Kinari Hydropower Project have not only contributed to Pakistan’s economic development but have also provided young people with broader opportunities for skills development, entrepreneurship, innovation, and participation in national development.
At the same time, Chinese and Pakistani youth are expanding cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, climate governance, and social welfare initiatives. Through smart agriculture, digital technologies, and community-based development programs, they are translating the principles of “win-win cooperation” and “technology for good” into tangible benefits that improve the daily lives of ordinary people. Today’s youth are not only inheritors of the longstanding friendship between China and Pakistan; they are also becoming active practitioners of global governance. With greater openness, inclusiveness, and a spirit of collaboration, they are injecting fresh momentum into cooperation among Global South countries and contributing to a more sustainable and shared future for all.
IV. An Inseparable Community of Shared Future
Over the past 75 years of diplomatic relations, China and Pakistan have built their partnership on the foundations of mutual respect, mutual trust, and shared development. Looking ahead, young people will play an increasingly vital role in elevating bilateral cooperation to new heights. From joint scientific research and digital innovation to talent cultivation and entrepreneurial collaboration, a growing number of young people are actively shaping the next chapter of China-Pakistan relations.
For both countries, this is not merely about the future of a bilateral partnership. It also reflects the broader potential of Global South nations to achieve shared development through knowledge exchange, technological cooperation, and youth empowerment. As countries seek new pathways to sustainable growth in an increasingly interconnected world, the experiences of China and Pakistan demonstrate how investing in human capital and fostering innovation can generate lasting benefits that extend beyond national borders.
In an era marked by uncertainty and rapid transformation, a development model that places people at its center and innovation at its core may prove to be one of the most effective ways to build a more inclusive, resilient, and prosperous future. The China-Pakistan partnership, strengthened by the energy, creativity, and aspirations of its younger generations, offers a compelling example of how cooperation can translate into shared opportunities and common progress for the decades ahead.
–The Author is also Director of the Institute of South Asian Studies,
Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences, China
