China to Send First Foreign Astronaut to Its Space Station - A Pakistani Crew Member

‍China and Pakistan Sign Agreement to Train and Send Pakistani Astronauts to Tiangong Space Station

China and Pakistan formalized a space collaboration agreement on Friday, paving the way for Pakistani astronauts to be selected, trained, and eventually sent to China's Tiangong space station. The deal strengthens bilateral ties in space exploration and marks a significant step in China’s efforts to expand international participation in its orbiting laboratory, currently positioned 400 kilometers above Earth. This initiative underscores Beijing’s growing role in global space diplomacy and scientific cooperation.

China is set to send a Pakistani astronaut to its Tiangong space station, marking the first time a foreign national will join its orbiting facility. The decision comes as part of an agreement signed on Friday between the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) and Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO). The signing ceremony, attended by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad, underscores the deepening space collaboration between the two allies.

According to a statement from CMSA, the agreement includes selecting and training Pakistani astronauts before their journey to Tiangong, which is currently orbiting 400 kilometers above Earth. Over the past few years, China has launched several satellites for Pakistan, further cementing their partnership in space exploration.

Tiangong, which has been in orbit for nearly four years, was developed as China's answer to international space cooperation after being excluded from the U.S.-led International Space Station (ISS) due to concerns over the military influence of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) on China’s space program. With the ISS nearing retirement, Beijing has positioned Tiangong as a strategic alternative, fueling competition between China and the United States in space exploration.

Additionally, Tiangong’s robotic arms especially its long arm capable of capturing satellites have raised concerns among international space agencies. As China continues expanding its space ambitions, it has announced plans for a manned lunar mission before 2030, the construction of a lunar space station, and the exploration of habitable planets and extraterrestrial life. Meanwhile, the United States aims to return astronauts to the Moon by 2025 under NASA’s Artemis program.

China’s move to invite a Pakistani astronaut aboard Tiangong not only strengthens its alliance with Pakistan but also signals Beijing’s broader goal of positioning itself as a dominant player in global space diplomacy.

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Source: NDTV‍