China has selected two Pakistani astronauts as candidates for its human spaceflight programme, according to a report by state broadcaster CCTV on Wednesday.

The selected candidates will travel to China to undergo specialized astronaut training alongside Chinese crews. Following the training phase, one of the Pakistani astronauts is expected to fly on a future mission as a payload specialist, becoming the first foreign astronaut to visit and work aboard China’s Tiangong space station.

The mission will focus on scientific research, technology experiments, and international cooperation in space exploration, marking a major milestone for Pakistan’s participation in human spaceflight.

Pakistan and China have been expanding cooperation in space science and satellite technology in recent years through collaboration between the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) and the China National Space Administration.

Earlier agreements between the two countries included astronaut training opportunities, joint research initiatives, and potential Pakistani participation in China’s growing space station programme, reflecting deepening strategic and technological ties under broader bilateral cooperation frameworks.