The evolving China-Pakistan space cooperation

The Chinese space programme has undertaken major strides since it built and launched its first satellite in 1970. In last half a century Beijing has conducted satellite launches, built its own navigation system, carried out successful spacewalks, and built and operated its own space station. China is also in the process of undertaking a manned moon mission by 2030. China has also consistently promoted its space technologies and pushed for cooperation under Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) dubbed the space silk road. This entails “a service network weaved by satellites and ground stations among the BRI partner countries has promoted the space industry to better benefit the local people”. China has also used its launching platform, the Long March, to promote its soft power by launching satellite for a number of other countries.

The ‘all-weather friendship’ between China and Pakistan has been replicated in their space cooperation as well. The partnership began in 1990 with China launching Pakistan’s Badr-I satellite, the momentum took time. Today, China has built and launched satellites for Pakistan and in 2026 announced that it will send one Pakistani astronaut to the Tiangong space station.