BEIJING, Wednesday, April 23, 2025 (WNP): China will select and train two astronauts from Pakistan for upcoming space missions, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced on Wednesday.

During a press briefing in Jiuquan, Gansu, CMSA spokesperson Lin Xiqiang confirmed that one of the selected astronauts will serve as a payload specialist on a future mission to China’s space station.

The Pakistani astronaut will be responsible for conducting scientific experiments developed by Pakistan while performing standard crew duties during the mission, Lin said. This collaboration follows the signing of a bilateral agreement on space cooperation between China and Pakistan in late February.

The astronaut selection process will consist of three stages: an initial screening in Pakistan, followed by secondary and final evaluations in China, according to Lin.

Lin also mentioned that China is in discussions with several other nations to involve foreign astronauts in future missions to its space station, highlighting the growing international collaboration in space exploration.