Beijing (The Thursday Times) — China's state space agency, the China Manned Space Agency, has announced that two Pakistani astronauts will train alongside Chinese astronauts, and that one of them will be selected as a payload specialist for a short-duration space mission, according to the Chinese state news agency Xinhua. The announcement was made on Thursday at a press conference in Beijing.
According to the agency's spokesman, Zhang Jingbo, the process of selecting the Pakistani astronauts has formally begun, made possible by the space cooperation agreement between China and Pakistan signed in February this year. The spokesman said the selection procedure for the Pakistani astronauts is similar to China's own astronaut selection process, which consists of three stages: preliminary selection, a second stage and a final stage. The preliminary selection is currently under way in Pakistan, while the second and final stages will be completed in China.
According to Xinhua, Zhang said preparations for the second stage have begun, including drawing up training programmes, supplying teaching materials and equipment, and ensuring that all logistical facilities are in place during the training. After the final selection, the two Pakistani astronauts will train jointly with Chinese astronauts. Once the training is complete, one of the Pakistani astronauts will be selected for the short-duration space mission, and will carry out Pakistan's scientific experiments as well as performing routine duties during the mission.
According to the spokesman, China's manned space programme has adhered, since its inception, to the principles of peace, equality, mutual benefit and common development. China has always invited foreign astronauts to take part in missions to its space station, in order to promote international cooperation and scientific exchange.
According to Xinhua, Zhang Jingbo said that China's aim is to expand space cooperation globally so that developing countries, too, can have access to advanced space technology. He said: “We invite astronauts from around the world to take part in missions on the Chinese space station.”
This development marks a new chapter in scientific and technical relations between China and Pakistan. According to Xinhua, the training of Pakistani astronauts is part of China's vision, which is based on using space exploration for the benefit of all humanity.∎
