First foreign astronaut mission: China selects two Pakistani candidates for Tiangong space station

China has selected two Pakistani astronauts as candidates for its space programme, according to the state’s Manned Space Agency.In a statement issued on Wednesday, the agency said that Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud have passed multiple rounds of selection and will soon travel to China for training. One of them is expected to join a future mission to the Tiangong space station as a payload specialist, potentially becoming the first foreign astronaut to visit the facility.“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 the mission goes ahead, it would mark the first time a Pakistani national reaches Earth’s orbit. The agency described the development as a ‘landmark event’ for China’s space programme and a reflection of growing cooperation between the two countries.“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 said.The agency also emphasised China’s willingness to expand global participation in its space efforts.“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,” the statement added.The selection follows an bilateral agreement signed in February 2025 between the China Manned Space Agency and Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission to jointly train astronauts.