China's Tiangong space station is expected to welcome its first foreign visitor — a Pakistani astronaut who will likely become the first from the nation to fly in outer space, according to a heavyweight cooperation agreement.

The agreement, signed by the China Manned Space Agency and Pakistan's Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission at a ceremony in Islamabad on Friday, covers the bilateral efforts to select and train Pakistani astronauts and then send some of them to China's Tiangong space station, which has been in orbit for nearly four years.

Its signing, witnessed by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, marks the first time for China to help a foreign nation select and train astronauts, and also the first time for Tiangong to expect a non-Chinese visitor, the agency said in a news release.

It said the two sides will spend about one year to complete the selection process and then send the Pakistani candidates to China to receive comprehensive and systematic training. It did not mention whether the selection has begun or when it will start.

After the Pakistani trainees are ready, one of them will be chosen as the first foreign crew member to fly with Chinese astronauts toward Tiangong space station and spend a short-term stay inside the colossal spacecraft, currently orbiting Earth at about 400 kilometers above the ground, the agency noted.

The signing of the cooperation agreement has created fresh opportunities and set a model for more developing countries to engage in international manned space collaboration. It is expected to inspire nations worldwide to join hands in exploring the mysteries of the universe and collectively forging a new chapter in advancing shared interests for the benefit of all humanity, according to the release.

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