China has selected two Pakistani air-force pilots as astronaut candidates for a future mission to the Tiangong space station [1].

This partnership represents a historic shift in space exploration, as it is the first time China will include a foreign astronaut on one of its missions [1]. The initiative aims to provide Pakistan with its first human-spaceflight experience while strengthening strategic ties between Beijing and Islamabad [2].

The candidates were selected in February 2026 [3]. Training is scheduled to begin later in 2026 at facilities managed by the China Manned Space Agency [1, 2].

The two pilots [1] will undergo rigorous preparation to operate within the Tiangong station. The program is designed to deepen cooperation between the two nations in the field of aerospace technology, and scientific research [2].

By integrating Pakistani personnel into its manned space program, China is expanding its international footprint in orbit. This move follows years of bilateral cooperation on satellite technology and other defense-related aerospace projects. The training phase will focus on the technical requirements of the Tiangong station's environment, and the specific protocols of Chinese spaceflight operations [1, 2].

“The selection marks the first time a foreign astronaut will fly on a Chinese mission.”

This collaboration signals China's intention to transition from a closed space program to a more international model, mirroring the partnership structures seen with the International Space Station. By selecting Pakistani pilots, Beijing is leveraging a strong diplomatic alliance to establish its own sphere of influence in space exploration and training.