STORY: Pakistani astronaut to enter Chinese space station, marking new milestone of cooperation
SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 28, 2025
DATELINE: March 2, 2025
LENGTH: 00:01:35
LOCATION: Islamabad
CATEGORY: SCIENCE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the agreement signing ceremony
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MUHAMMAD YOUSUF KHAN, Chairman of the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission
3. various of animation of the Chinese space station
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): LIN XIQIANG, Deputy director of the China Manned Space Agency
5. various of the agreement signing ceremony
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): YE GUANGFU, Chinese astronaut

STORYLINE:

China and Pakistan on Friday signed a cooperation agreement in Islamabad on spaceflight of a Pakistani astronaut on Chinese space station, the first time for a foreign astronaut, marking a new chapter of China-Pakistan aerospace cooperation.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MUHAMMAD YOUSUF KHAN, Chairman of the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission
"It is a landmark milestone in the history of Pakistan space program. In the future, it will generate in our Pakistani young scientists and engineers a wave to focus on the space science and technology, so it will generate a positive way in the Pakistani youth."

Under the agreement, the selection process of astronauts will last for about a year, and the Pakistani astronauts will join a comprehensive and systematic training camp in China.

According to Khan, Pakistan will select five astronaut candidates from the military and civilians, who will later be trained in China. Through physical fitness, mental tolerance, and adaptability tests, the best two will be selected, and one of them will carry out the space flight mission together with Chinese counterparts.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif witnessed the signing of the agreement.

Lin Xiqiang, deputy director of the China Manned Space Agency, said that China is always willing to share its development achievements for the benefits of mankind. The signing of the agreement provides an example for more developing countries to participate in international manned space cooperation, which will inspire more countries to work together to explore the mystery of the universe.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): LIN XIQIANG, Deputy director of the China Manned Space Agency
"Such an agreement, under which the first foreign astronaut is Pakistani, reflected an unbreakable all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries, and with their firm friendship seen in the vast space."

Chinese astronaut Ye Guangfu also attended the signing ceremony.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): YE GUANGFU, Chinese astronaut
"After they join our team, I will introduce to them my personal flight experience and insights, as well as precautions for key operations, and help them adapt to training pace and master space flight skills as soon as possible. I look forward to the Pakistani astronaut being a member of the Chinese space station."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Islamabad.
(XHTV)