First foreign astronaut on China’s Tiangong station will be from Pak

China has announced that a Pakistani astronaut will become the first foreign national to visit its Tiangong space station when the Shenzhou-24 crewed mission launches. The unnamed Pakistani astronaut, selected from two candidates, Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud, underwent months of training in China. The agreement between the countries was signed in February 2025, outlining astronaut selection, training, and participation in Chinese space-station missions.

The mission marks a historic joint crewed flight between China and Pakistan, setting a precedent for future international collaborations. For Pakistan, the mission signifies its entry into human spaceflight, while for China, it demonstrates the space station's capability to serve as an international platform. As the ISS nears the end of its operational life, Tiangong may become a more attractive option for countries seeking involvement in space exploration and research.

India, too, is eyeing partnerships and collaborations, but must balance its ambitions with geopolitical considerations and avoid becoming overly reliant on any single space power.