China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) and Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) officially signed on Friday a cooperation agreement on selecting and training Pakistani astronauts for future flight missions to China's Tiangong space station, opening a new chapter in deepening cooperation in manned space sector between the two countries, according to the CMSA.

This marks the very first step of China selecting and training foreign astronauts to participate in the country's space station flight missions.

On the same day, under the framework of the cooperation agreement, China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC), a subsidiary of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) signed a commercial contract with Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) for the project.

According to the plan, both sides will complete the selection process in about one year, and the chosen Pakistani candidate will receive comprehensive training in China. Afterward, the Pakistani astronaut will enter Tiangong space station to carry out short-term flight missions together with Chinese taikonauts in the next few years per the flight mission schedule.