Two Pakistani nationals have been selected as the first foreign astronauts for China's space mission training, the China Manned Space Agency announced on Wednesday, calling it a landmark event in the history of the nation's space industry.

Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud will come to China soon as reserve astronauts, the agency said in a statement, adding that after completing all relevant training and evaluations, one of them will likely join a crewed mission as a payload specialist, becoming the first foreign astronaut to visit China's Tiangong space station.

If the program is successful, it will also mark the first time a Pakistani national reaches Earth's orbit.

The agency's statement called the training an iconic achievement in international space cooperation and a successful example of the China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership taking concrete shape in the sector.

"This fully demonstrates the open attitude of the Chinese government to share the accomplishments of its space industry with the international community," it said.

The peaceful use of outer space for the benefit of all humanity has always been the original aspiration and mission of China's space programs, the statement noted.

"China's manned space program will always keep its doors wide open, welcoming all countries around the world to actively participate in cooperation in fields such as scientific experiments and technological tests onboard the Tiangong space station, as well as astronaut selection and training," the statement said.

"Together, we will expand humanity's understanding of the universe and join hands to contribute wisdom and strength to building a community with a shared future for humanity," it added.

In February 2025, the Chinese agency and Pakistan's Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission signed an agreement in Islamabad, the Pakistani capital, paving the way for bilateral cooperation to select and train Pakistani astronauts.

To date, the highest altitude any Pakistani national has ever reached is about 87.4 kilometers, which was achieved by polar adventurer and artist Namira Salim on Oct 6, 2023, during a 55-minute suborbital travel arranged by United States-based commercial space company Virgin Galactic.

The Karman line, which lies at an altitude of 100 km above sea level, is globally recognized as the start of outer space and the threshold for orbital flight.

Wang Yanan, chief editor of Aerospace Knowledge magazine, said the two Pakistani astronauts will need to acquire knowledge on a wide range of topics and various skills related to spaceflight, including learning the Chinese language, the fundamentals of space science, spacecraft structure and functions, space physics, and emergency response procedures.

"Considering that they are already in excellent physical condition and boast a high academic background, I am confident that mastering the necessary knowledge and skills will not be difficult for them," he said.

"For the people of Pakistan, having their own astronauts and watching one of their compatriots fly into space will undoubtedly be a historic and deeply proud moment. It will also inspire more young Pakistanis to engage in cutting-edge science and space exploration," Wang added.

Tiangong, one of the largest and most advanced structures ever deployed in Earth's orbit, is currently the only operating space station independently built and run by a single nation.