BEIJING: The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) has announced that two Pakistani astronauts will soon begin joint training with their Chinese counterparts, and one of them will be selected to participate in a short-duration space mission as a payload specialist.
According to CMSA spokesperson Zhang Jingbo, the selection process for Pakistani astronauts has officially begun under a bilateral cooperation agreement signed between China and Pakistan in February this year.
The process follows the same three-stage model used for Chinese astronaut selection — preliminary screening, second-round assessment, and final selection. Zhang said the preliminary phase is currently taking place in Pakistan, while the subsequent stages will be held in China.
Preparations for the second round are already underway, including the development of training programmes, teaching materials, and equipment, as well as logistical arrangements for the astronauts’ stay and training.
Once the final selection concludes, the two Pakistani astronauts will train alongside Chinese space crews. One of them will then be chosen to participate in a short-duration spaceflight as a payload specialist, conducting scientific experiments on behalf of Pakistan and performing regular crew tasks aboard the mission.
Zhang emphasized that China’s manned space programme adheres to the principles of peaceful cooperation, equality, and shared development. He added that China continues to promote international collaboration in its space initiatives and welcomes astronauts from around the world to take part in missions aboard the Chinese space station.
