China to send first foreign astronaut to Tiangong, signs space agreement with Pakistan
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In a landmark agreement, China has committed to sending a Pakistani astronaut to its space station, Tiangong, marking the first time a foreign astronaut will visit the facility.
The agreement was formalised on Friday between China’s Manned Space Agency (CMSA) and Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) during a ceremony in Islamabad attended by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The collaboration aims to enhance bilateral space exploration efforts, including the selection and training of Pakistani astronauts who will eventually travel to Tiangong, which orbits approximately 400 kilometers above Earth.
China has been supporting Pakistan’s space program for years by launching satellites for its strategic ally. This latest move signifies a deepening of space cooperation between the two nations.
Tiangong, China's independent space station, has been in orbit for nearly four years and is often viewed as a competitor to the International Space Station (ISS). China was excluded from the ISS program due to concerns over its space initiatives being led by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), prompting Beijing to develop its own space station.
The growing influence of China's space program has sparked competition, particularly with the United States. Tiangong’s advanced robotic arms - especially the longer one, capable of capturing objects in space - have also drawn international scrutiny.
China has ambitious plans for space exploration, including a manned lunar mission and the eventual construction of a lunar space station. The country is also investing in the search for habitable planets and extraterrestrial life as part of its long-term space strategy.
According to Lin Xiqiang, Deputy Director of CMSA, China aims to land astronauts on the moon before 2030, aligning with the US’s plans to return astronauts to the lunar surface by 2025.