Xinhua
30 Oct 2025, 15:45 GMT+10
JIUQUAN, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Two Pakistani astronauts will undergo training alongside Chinese astronauts, and one of them will be selected to participate in a short-duration spaceflight mission as a payload specialist, the China Manned Space Agency announced at a press conference on Thursday.
The selection process for Pakistani astronauts has officially commenced following a cooperation agreement between China and Pakistan signed in February this year, said Zhang Jingbo, spokesperson for the agency.
Similar to the selection process for Chinese astronauts, this process is divided into three stages: preliminary selection, second round of selection and final selection. The preliminary selection is currently being conducted in Pakistan, while the second round and final selections will take place in China.
Preparations for the second round of selection are already underway, including developing training programs, preparing teaching materials and equipment, and ensuring logistical support during the training period, Zhang said.
Following the final selection, two Pakistani astronauts will undergo training alongside Chinese astronauts as planned. One Pakistani astronaut will be chosen to join a short-duration space mission as a payload specialist and conduct scientific experiments for Pakistan, as well as perform routine crew duties during the flight.
Since its inception, China's manned space program has consistently adhered to the principles of peaceful utilization, equality, mutual benefit and shared development, Zhang noted.
China actively recruits foreign astronauts to participate in its space station missions, promotes international cooperation and exchange in its manned space program, advances space technology development, and works to benefit all humankind, he said.
"We welcome our global counterparts to join the flight missions of the Chinese space station," Zhang added.
Get a daily dose of Malaysia Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Malaysia Sun.
More InformationBANGKOK, Thailand: Thailand's Queen Mother Sirikit, known for her decades of work to help the poor, protect the environment, and preserve...
BEIJING, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- When China, the world's manufacturing powerhouse, unveils its industrial blueprint for the next five years,...
JIUQUAN, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Two Pakistani astronauts will undergo training alongside Chinese astronauts, and one of them will be selected...
New Delhi [India], October 30 (ANI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday departed for Kuala Lumpur to participate in the 12th...
New Delhi [India], October 30 (ANI): Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos on Thursday expressed his country's full solidarity...
New Delhi [India], October 30 (ANI): Growing fears over the global supply of rare-earth elements emerged as a key factor behind the...
VANCOUVER, Canada: Lululemon is taking its athleticwear to the gridiron. The company announced a new partnership with the National...
LONDON, U.K.: Primark is betting that changing U.S. trade rules will tilt the balance in its favor, accelerating store openings and...
DUBLIN, Ireland: Most tourism businesses in Ireland said their income either dropped or stayed the same this summer, according to a...
LONDON, U.K.: Barclays has agreed to acquire U.S. personal loan originator Best Egg for US$800 million, marking its latest move to...
TOKYO, Japan: U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi signed a landmark agreement on October 28 to secure...
SHANGHAI, China: Luxury brands are redoubling efforts to charm wealthy Chinese shoppers as spending slowly revives, betting that exclusive...
