In a major step for international space collaboration, China Manned Space Agency has selected 2 Pakistani candidates for its astronaut programme, with one expected to join a future mission to the Tiangong space station.
The agency announced that Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud have cleared multiple rounds of selection and will soon travel to China for training. Upon completing training and assessments, one of them will be chosen as a payload specialist for a spaceflight mission.
“Upon completing all training courses and passing relevant assessments, one of them will be selected for a mission crew as a payload specialist to participate in a spaceflight, becoming the first foreign astronaut to visit the Chinese space station,” the agency said.
If successful, the mission would mark the first time a Pakistani national reaches Earth’s orbit. The development has been described as a “landmark event” for China’s space programme and a reflection of deepening cooperation between China and Pakistan.
“It stands as an iconic achievement of international cooperation on the Chinese space station, and also a successful example of the China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership taking concrete shape in the space sector,” the statement added.
The agency also highlighted its openness to global collaboration. “China’s manned space program will always keep its doors wide open, welcoming all countries to actively participate in cooperation in fields such as scientific experiments and technological tests on the Tiangong space station, as well as astronaut selection and training. Together, we will expand humanity’s understanding of the universe and contribute to building a community with a shared future for mankind,” it said.
The selection follows a bilateral agreement signed in February 2025 between the China Manned Space Agency and Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission to jointly train astronauts.
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