According to a report by the state news agency Xinhua, China’s space station is set to receive its first foreign astronaut in the coming few years. This follows the signing of a cooperation agreement between China and Pakistan on Friday regarding the selection and training of astronauts.
The agreement to train Pakistani astronauts for space station missions indicates the increasing influence of China’s space diplomacy, which is strengthened by the progress of its space program.
As a country that has had long – standing and close relations with China, Pakistan has, in recent years, been trying to enhance its own space capabilities by taking part in Chinese projects.
Last May, Pakistan was among several countries whose payloads were carried on the Chang’e – 6 lunar probe. This achievement made China the first country to successfully collect samples from the far side of the moon.
The Pakistani astronauts chosen for this program will undergo training in China for approximately a year. After that, they will join Chinese astronauts on the Tiangong space station for short – term missions.
