By Manisha Sahu | America News World
October 30, 2025
In a noteworthy leap for international space cooperation, China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced on October 30, 2025 that a Pakistani astronaut will join one of its short-duration missions to the Tiangong space station, marking a new chapter in China-Pakistan collaboration in human spaceflight. Simultaneously, China reaffirmed its ambition to land astronauts on the Moon by 2030, signalling bold intentions in the global space race.
A Pakistani astronaut to fly with China
According to CMSA spokesperson Zhang Jingbo, under a cooperation agreement signed earlier this year between China and Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) of Pakistan, two Pakistani candidates will undergo astronaut training with Chinese crews. One of the two will be selected as a payload specialist for a short-duration mission aboard Tiangong.
The selection process is already underway: the first phase of preliminary selection is happening on Pakistani soil, while subsequent rounds of training and final selection will take place in China. Once selected, the Pakistani astronaut will accompany Chinese counterparts on a mission, participate in routine crew duties and conduct scientific experiments on behalf of Pakistan.
This move positions Pakistan as the first foreign country to be assured a seat on a Chinese crewed spaceflight in this manner and underscores Beijing’s expanding openness to international partnership in its human spaceflight programme.
For Islamabad, the achievement builds on earlier cooperation: Pakistan’s ICUBE-Q lunar nanosatellite was deployed alongside China’s lunar probe in 2024.
Why this matters
From a strategic perspective, this announcement carries several implications:
– China’s space diplomacy: By inviting foreign astronauts and sharing access to its space station, China reinforces its vision of space as an arena of international cooperation rather than purely national competition. CMSA emphasised that its manned space programme “adheres to the principles of peaceful utilisation, equality, mutual benefit and shared development.”
– Pakistan’s ambitions: For Pakistan, this marks a significant step toward human spaceflight involvement. It elevates the country’s status in the global space community and taps into growing national interest in space science and technology.
– Expanding capability and confidence: The selection and training of Pakistani astronauts show that China is confident in its own astronaut training infrastructure and is willing to extend it to partner nations. That feeds into the larger picture of China ramping up its long-term human spaceflight and lunar exploration capabilities.
The lunar goal: Moon landing by 2030
At the same time, CMSA reaffirmed that China remains “on track” to land its own astronauts on the Moon by the end of the decade. Zhang Jingbo stated that “each programme of the research and development work of putting a person on the Moon is progressing smoothly,” citing development of the Long March 10 heavy-lift rocket, lunar landing suits, and an exploration vehicle.
This lunar ambition is part of China’s broader roadmap: The upcoming robotic missions such as Chang’e 8 and future lunar surface infrastructure aim to pave the way for crewed landings. For China, the Moon landing is not just a prestige endeavour — it is a strategic investment in space science, resource utilisation, and long-duration human missions.
What comes next?
For the Pakistani astronaut mission:
– The next step is the second round of selection and training in China. Training programmes, teaching materials and equipment are already being prepared.
– The flight itself will be a short-duration mission (rather than a long-stay six-month expedition) aboard Tiangong, likely involving scientific experiments and payload operations.
– It remains to be disclosed exactly which mission the Pakistani specialist will fly on, and when it will take place.
For the Moon-landing roadmap:
CMSA will continue R&D on key systems: heavy-lift launch vehicles, lunar landing modules, suits and exploration vehicles.
China will also continue its robotic lunar missions and international partnerships to build experience and infrastructure for a crewed landing.
One longer-term question: whether China will invite international partners (such as Pakistan) to participate in any aspects of the crewed lunar landing or lunar infrastructure efforts.
Broader context
China’s announcement comes amid a dynamic era in lunar and space station exploration:
Western agencies (notably NASA) are advancing their own lunar ambitions through the Artemis programme, while China’s consistent, state-backed approach offers an alternative route. Analysts suggest China might outpace the U.S. in returning humans to the Moon because of its streamlined approach and less subject-to-budget cycles.
The space station element: Tiangong, China’s national orbital facility, is a platform not only for Chinese crewed flights but increasingly for international collaboration. This contrasts with the U.S.-led International Space Station which has limited participation from China due to earlier political exclusions.
For Pakistan, the move underscores deepening science and technology ties with China that extend beyond satellites to human spaceflight, signalling Islamabad’s desire to elevate its space-sector stature.
What will readers want to watch?
Timing and mission details: When exactly will the Pakistani astronaut fly? Which mission will it be? What experiments will be conducted?
Training progress: How do the Pakistani candidates fare in training alongside Chinese astronauts? Will this open the door for more foreign astronauts in China’s programme?
Lunar mission milestones: Will China announce a specific launch date for its first crewed lunar landing? Will the Long March 10 launch and lunar-landing module tests proceed on schedule?
International cooperation: Will China invite more countries into its lunar programme (robotic or crewed) and station missions? What will be the role of other emerging space-nations?
Geopolitical implications: How will this influence the global space order, especially in relation to U.S., Russian and European lunar plans? Will international cooperation around the Moon evolve into new alliances?
Conclusion
China’s dual announcements — of a Pakistani astronaut joining a future Tiangong mission and a reaffirmed goal to land humans on the Moon by 2030 — reflect a maturing space programme that is increasingly outward-looking and ambitious. For Pakistan, the ride into orbit marks a watershed moment; for China, it further solidifies a framework of international collaboration while advancing toward its lunar aspirations. As these plans unfold, the global community will be watching closely: the next few years may redefine not just who reaches the Moon, but how international collaboration in space takes shape.