BEIJING: Two Pakistani astronauts have officially started training at the Astronaut Center of China, marking a major step in Pakistan–China cooperation in human spaceflight, according to the China Manned Space Agency.
Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud are currently undergoing a comprehensive training program that includes core astronaut skills, spacecraft operations, in-orbit coordination, and intensive Chinese language instruction to support mission communication and daily operations aboard China’s space station.
A spokesperson for the agency said the trainees joined the program at the China Astronaut Research and Training Center on China Space Day, training alongside Chinese astronauts as part of the mission preparation process. One of them is expected to be selected for a short-duration spaceflight as a payload specialist after completing all required evaluations.
Officials noted that the language training focuses on Putonghua and essential technical terminology used in space missions, helping ensure clear communication during operations in orbit.
The program represents the first time foreign astronauts have been included in China’s crewed space mission training pipeline, and it is seen as a step toward broader international participation in future missions aboard the Tiangong space station.
