# China launched its Shenzhou-23 mission on May 24, which will see a Chinese astronaut spend a full year in orbit for the first time.

*aerospace · news · 2026-05-24 · The Straits Times*

## Key points

- Shenzhou-23 will include China's first ever attempt at a one-year continuous space mission.
- Li Jiaying is the first astronaut from Hong Kong to participate in a Chinese spaceflight.
- The Mengzhou spacecraft, replacing Shenzhou, will be tested in orbit in 2026 for lunar missions.
- China plans to admit its first foreign astronaut, from Pakistan, to Tiangong station by end of 2026.
- The astronaut for the one-year mission will be selected mid-mission depending on Shenzhou-23's progress.

**Countries:** China, Australia, Pakistan

[Read the full story on The Straits Times](https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/china-launches-three-crew-space-flight-as-part-of-moon-ambitions)

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