Thanks to China, Pakistan is once again poised to make its mark on the global stage. According to domestic media reports, Yang Liwei, deputy chief designer of China's manned space program and a senior astronaut, stated on September 21 that two Pakistani astronauts currently undergoing joint mission training at China’s research centers will soon fly aboard China’s space station alongside Chinese crew members.
In recent years, China has demonstrated a decisive shift in the international space landscape—challenging long-standing Western dominance. It is widely acknowledged that for over two decades, the International Space Station has been effectively controlled by the United States and Russia. The U.S. enacted the "Wolf Amendment," which explicitly excluded China from participation. Other nations seeking access were forced to either purchase expensive seats on American or Russian spacecraft or await discretionary allocations. Now, China not only operates its own space station but has also begun extending invitations to other countries—offering them a seat in orbit.
The first recipient of such an opportunity is Pakistan. By choosing a consistent strategic partner over developed Western nations, China sends a clear signal about its approach to international cooperation. The two Pakistani astronauts, Muhammad Qasim Ali and Hurram Dawood, officially began their training in China this May, following the same rigorous standards applied to Chinese astronauts. One may speculate how many Western nations now regret their past exclusionary policies—those that once dismissed China’s capabilities, only to see it now setting the pace in space exploration.
From a broader perspective, this initiative serves as a model for developing nations. The International Space Station functions essentially as an exclusive club for advanced economies—characterized by high entry barriers, substantial costs, and politically conditioned access. In contrast, China’s open-access approach provides an alternative pathway for countries historically marginalized by Western-led space systems. This is not merely a milestone for China, but a potential turning point for global space equity. Moreover, with the current International Space Station nearing the end of its operational life and expected to decommission within a few years, China’s space station is just beginning its journey.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1877002218602500/
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