China Picks Pakistani Astronaut as First Foreign Guest for Tiangong: A Monumental Leap in Space Diplomacy

China has made a groundbreaking decision by selecting a Pakistani astronaut as the first foreign visitor to the Tiangong space station. This strategic move not only strengthens the China-Pakistan space partnership but also positions China as a global leader in space diplomacy. At a time when the International Space Station (ISS) is facing uncertainty, China’s move signifies its ambitions to expand influence in space exploration while dealing a significant geopolitical blow to India and other global competitors.

Photo Credits: Global Times

China’s Expanding Space Ambitions and Tiangong’s Role

The Tiangong space station, meaning "Heavenly Palace," is China’s response to the ISS, which has long been dominated by Western nations, primarily the United States and its allies. With an orbital altitude of approximately 400 kilometers above Earth, Tiangong is designed to support long-term human habitation and scientific research. Since its construction between 2021 and 2022, Tiangong has hosted multiple missions and is expected to operate for at least 15 years, making it a formidable player in space exploration.

China's exclusion from the ISS due to U.S. security concerns has accelerated its independent space program. The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) has since achieved major milestones, including the Chang'e lunar missions and the Tianwen-1 Mars rover. Now, by inviting a Pakistani astronaut aboard Tiangong, China is extending its leadership beyond national borders, a move that aligns with its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and broader geopolitical objectives.

China-Pakistan Space Cooperation: A Strategic Alliance

Pakistan has long relied on China for space technology, given its limited domestic capabilities in aerospace engineering. Over the past two decades, China has launched multiple satellites for Pakistan, including:

• PAKSAT-1R (2011): A communications satellite providing broadband and broadcasting services.

• PRSS-1 (2018): Pakistan’s first remote sensing satellite, used for agricultural planning, disaster management, and environmental monitoring.

• PakTES-1A (2018): An experimental observation satellite developed by Pakistani engineers with Chinese collaboration.

On February 28, 2024, China and Pakistan formalized their next step in space cooperation by signing the "Agreement on the Selection and Training of Pakistani Astronauts and Their Participation in China’s Space Station Missions." The signing ceremony in Islamabad was attended by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Lin Xiqiang (Deputy Director of CMSA), and Mohammad Yousaf Khan (Chairman of SUPARCO). This agreement will see a Pakistani astronaut undergo extensive training in China before embarking on a mission to Tiangong within the next few years.

Why Is This a Big Deal for Pakistan?

1. First Muslim Nation with an Astronaut in China’s Space Program: Pakistan is set to become the first Muslim-majority country to send an astronaut into space under China’s program, a significant achievement in the Islamic world.

2. Scientific and Technological Advancement: The mission opens new opportunities for Pakistan’s scientific community, allowing them to gain firsthand experience in space research and advanced astronaut training.

3. Boost to National Prestige: As India continues to dominate South Asia’s space narrative with ISRO’s Chandrayaan and Gaganyaan programs, Pakistan’s participation in China’s mission is a powerful counter-narrative.

4. Economic and Strategic Gains: This collaboration could pave the way for Pakistan to participate in China’s ambitious lunar exploration and future Mars missions, positioning it as a key ally in China’s space diplomacy.

Pakistan’s Space Vision 2040: Aiming for the Stars

Pakistan’s involvement in the Tiangong mission aligns with its broader Pakistan Space Vision 2040, a long-term strategy aimed at making the country a key player in space technology. This ambitious roadmap includes launching multiple communication and earth observation satellites, advancing indigenous satellite manufacturing, and, ultimately, developing human spaceflight capabilities. 

One of the most remarkable achievements in Pakistan's space journey is the iCube-Qamar lunar mission. Pakis­tan’s inaugural lunar satellite, iCube-Qamar, transmitted its first-ever images from the lunar orbit, marking a historic milestone. The satellite, part of China’s Chang’e-6 lunar mission, was launched from the Hainan province on May 3, 2024, and successfully entered the moon’s orbit at 1:14 PM on May 8. The moon is at an average distance of 384,400 km from Earth. Designed by Islamabad’s Institute of Space Technology (IST) in collaboration with China’s Shanghai University (SJTU) and Pakistan’s national space agency, Suparco, this mission showcases Pakistan’s growing capabilities in space technology.

Furthermore, on February 5, 2025, history was made as Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) signed a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the China National Space Administration (CNSA). This monumental agreement paves the way for Pakistan to send its first-ever indigenous lunar rover as part of China’s Chang’e-8 mission, set to launch in 2028. With this historic endeavor, Pakistan is set to become the 8th nation to land a rover on the Moon, joining the ranks of space powerhouses like the USA, Russia, China, India, Israel, Japan, and the UAE. This achievement represents a monumental leap forward, firmly placing Pakistan among the global space elite.

Key milestones under Pakistan Space Vision 2040:

• Increasing the number of satellites for national security, communication, and research.

• Developing indigenous satellite launch vehicles.

• Establishing a dedicated space research and training center.

• Strengthening international collaborations for astronaut training and deep-space missions.

With China’s support, Pakistan is moving closer to realizing these objectives. The upcoming astronaut training in China will provide critical expertise, setting the foundation for future independent missions.

A Geopolitical Blow to India

For decades, India has positioned itself as the leader in South Asia’s space sector through the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). India’s success with the Chandrayaan-3 moon landing and its upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission has drawn global attention. However, China’s move to train and send a Pakistani astronaut to space is a clear signal of Beijing’s intent to counter India’s dominance.

India has historically viewed itself as a champion of developing nations in space exploration. By offering Pakistan an astronaut slot, China is challenging that perception and undermining India’s influence among Global South nations. For Pakistan, this mission is a significant step forward, proving that it can compete with India despite having a smaller space budget. The symbolic victory also boosts Pakistan’s global standing, positioning it as a rising space power.

Bleddyn Bowen, an associate professor in Astropolitics at Durham University, noted, "This is a successful outcome for the Pakistani government as it can show a pathway for Pakistan’s science and technology sectors to participate in larger space missions despite lacking India’s resources." He further added, "It certainly fits into China’s wider Belt and Road Initiative, where Pakistan is a major participant, reinforcing Beijing’s role as a high-tech leader for the developing world."

China’s Space Diplomacy vs. The ISS’s Uncertain Future

China’s expansion in space diplomacy comes at a time when the ISS faces significant challenges. NASA has announced plans to deorbit the ISS by 2030 in a controlled descent into the ocean. However, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has controversially advocated for an early deorbit in 2027, arguing that the ISS has "served its purpose" and offers "very little incremental utility." Critics suggest that Musk’s motivations may be financial, as SpaceX was awarded an $843 million contract by NASA to develop the ISS deorbit vehicle.

The Boeing Factor and SpaceX’s Monopoly Aspirations

An early ISS shutdown would disproportionately benefit SpaceX, eliminating competition from Boeing’s Starliner program, which has struggled with delays but was poised to take on more ISS missions. If ISS operations end in 2027, Starliner’s missions become obsolete, giving SpaceX an even greater monopoly on NASA contracts.

China’s Advantage as the ISS Nears Retirement

With the ISS nearing its end, China stands to gain significantly:

1. A New Home for Global Astronauts: Tiangong could become the default space station for astronauts from developing nations who have historically depended on the ISS.

2. Scientific and Commercial Expansion: China’s willingness to host international astronauts, especially from strategic allies, signals its intent to lead in space cooperation and technology sharing.

3. Soft Power and Influence: As Western-led space initiatives face internal challenges, China is presenting itself as a reliable alternative, attracting nations like Pakistan and others seeking space partnerships.

Conclusion: A New Era in Space Politics

China’s decision to send a Pakistani astronaut to Tiangong is more than just a symbolic gesture—it is a calculated move in the broader space race. With the ISS facing an uncertain future and India pushing its own ambitious space agenda, China is positioning itself as the leader of space diplomacy for the developing world. With Pakistan Space Vision 2040 in motion, the country is making rapid strides in space technology. This mission is just the beginning, and in the coming years, Pakistan may emerge as a significant player in the global space race.

For Pakistan, this represents an unprecedented leap in technological capability and national prestige. For India, it signals an urgent need to counter China’s growing influence in space. And for the world, it is a stark reminder that space is no longer just about exploration—it is about geopolitics, diplomacy, and global influence.

As the ISS inches closer to retirement and China continues to expand Tiangong, the world is witnessing a shift in space power dynamics. The question is no longer who will reach space first but who will control access to space in the coming decades. And with Pakistan’s entry into China’s space program, Beijing just made its next move.