China to Train Pakistani Astronauts for Space Missions

Beijing: China will select and train two astronauts belonging to Pakistan for the first time for upcoming space missions. According to Radio Pakistan, Lin Xiqiang, China and Pakistan are conducting astronaut selection in Pakistan. He said the initial selection will take place in Pakistan, followed by a re-selection and final selection process in China. After completing their training, one Pakistani astronaut will join Chinese astronauts aboard the Chinese Space Station as a payload specialist. The Spokesperson Lin Xiqiang said in addition to performing daily crew duties, they will also be responsible for conducting scientific experiments on behalf of Pakistan. This is the first time the Chinese government has selected and trained astronauts from a foreign country. In February of this year, the China Manned Space Program Office and the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission signed a related agreement in Islamabad.