China has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation with Pakistan in space exploration and other fields following the announcement of Pakistan’s participation in China’s upcoming Shenzhou-24 mission.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the remarks during a regular press briefing in Beijing on November 9. He described the upcoming mission as the first joint flight involving Chinese and foreign astronauts in the history of China’s crewed space programme.
Guo said China was ready to carry forward its traditional friendship with Pakistan, expand cooperation in space and other sectors, and take bilateral relations to new heights.
He also highlighted the importance of peaceful space exploration, describing it as a shared pursuit of humanity that contributes to the welfare of people worldwide.
Pakistani Astronaut to Join China’s Shenzhou-24 Mission
Under the planned arrangement, a Pakistani astronaut will join the Shenzhou-24 crew as a payload specialist and undertake a short-duration orbital flight.
After completing the mission, the astronaut is expected to return to Earth aboard the Shenzhou-23 spacecraft, rather than the Shenzhou-24 vehicle.
The mission will also make the Pakistani astronaut the first foreign national to enter China’s Tiangong space station. It will mark the first time China’s crewed space programme has conducted a joint flight involving Chinese and foreign astronauts.
China’s Manned Space Agency announced the development on November 7, according to reports by Reuters and the Associated Press. However, Chinese authorities have not yet publicly identified the Pakistani astronaut or confirmed the launch date.
Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud Undergo Training in China
Pakistan selected two candidates, Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud, for training under its cooperation programme with China.
Both candidates have spent months preparing at the China Astronaut Research and Training Center in Beijing alongside Chinese astronauts.
Their preparation includes practical training to develop operational capabilities for spaceflight, as well as intensive Mandarin language instruction.
One of the candidates will participate in the upcoming mission, while the other is expected to serve as a backup. The final identity of the astronaut has not yet been officially announced.
Pakistan-China Space Agreement Strengthens Bilateral Ties
The upcoming mission follows a space cooperation agreement signed by Pakistan and China in February 2025.
Under the agreement, Pakistan would select and train two astronaut candidates in China, with one eventually joining a crewed mission to the Tiangong space station.
The programme represents an expansion of cooperation between the two countries in science, technology and space exploration.
In April 2026, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong also met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss cooperation in various fields, including the space programme. The two Pakistani astronaut candidates attended the meeting.
During the meeting, the prime minister welcomed the partnership and said the space project would add a new dimension to the longstanding friendship between the two countries.
China Highlights 75 Years of Pakistan-China Diplomatic Relations
Guo Jiakun described the astronaut mission as another important achievement in Pakistan-China cooperation during the 75th anniversary year of diplomatic relations.
Pakistan and China established diplomatic relations in May 1951. Since then, the two countries have expanded their partnership across infrastructure, trade, defence, education, science and technology.
The space programme adds another area to this longstanding relationship, creating opportunities for cooperation in astronaut training, scientific research and advanced space technologies.
China has also emphasized its commitment to peaceful space exploration and wider international cooperation. Beijing views space exploration as an area where countries can work together for shared scientific and technological progress.
China Expands Its Crewed Space Programme
China has significantly expanded its space programme in recent years, including the development and operation of its Tiangong space station.
The country is also working towards its goal of landing astronauts on the Moon by 2030, marking another major phase in its long-term space exploration plans.
Pakistan’s participation in the Shenzhou-24 mission would represent a new milestone for its national space programme and give the country an opportunity to participate directly in China’s crewed space activities.
The development also reflects the expanding scope of Pakistan-China cooperation, with both countries seeking to strengthen their partnership beyond traditional areas into advanced science, technology and space exploration.
China has reiterated that it stands ready to work with Pakistan to deepen cooperation in space and other fields, further strengthening bilateral relations.
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