JIUQUAN, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Two Pakistani astronauts have entered the Astronaut Center of China and are participating in mission training alongside their Chinese counterparts, with all related work progressing smoothly, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced on Saturday.According to the plan, one Pakistani astronaut will serve as a payload specialist for a short-term spaceflight mission. They are currently following the program to complete basic training and aerospace technical training, CMSA spokesperson Zhang Jingbo told a press conference in Jiuquan in northwest China.The training focuses on developing hands-on operational capabilities to ensure the Pakistani astronauts are fully qualified to carry out the mission, Zhang explained.During the initial phase of the training, intensive Chinese language instruction will be conducted to strengthen their Chinese proficiency, including basic Chinese knowledge and the relevant command vocabulary required for mission execution.The CMSA announced in April that two Pakistani astronauts, Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud, had been selected as the final candidates following the completion of the first selection of foreign astronauts for China's manned space program.

UNITED NATIONS, May 22 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Friday called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to carry out its work with regard to Libya in an objective and impartial manner.China takes note of the ICC's recent work regarding evidence collection, investigation, and judicial proceedings, and calls on the court to continue fulfilling its mandate in strict accordance with facts and law and ensure that relevant procedures align with the fundamental principles of international criminal justice, Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, told the Security Council.The court must continue to respect Libya's judicial sovereignty, strengthen communication and coordination with the Libyan authorities, properly handle the relationship between international and domestic justice, and garner greater understanding and support from the Libyan people, said Sun.In light of the current political impasse in Libya, the international community should collectively engage with relevant Libyan parties, encouraging them to address their differences through dialogue and consultation, participate in UN-led mediation in good faith, and build consensus on holding national elections and unifying institutions. Any work undertaken by the ICC should serve to strengthen intra-Libyan unity, instead of amplifying divisions and tensions, he said.China will work with all parties to firmly support Libya's efforts to safeguard its sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. China stands committed to playing a constructive role for the early realization of national unity and lasting peace in Libya, said Sun.

UNITED NATIONS, May 22 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Friday called on the parties to the Ukraine conflict to cease attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure.China has noted the reported drone attack on a school in Starobelsk and expresses deep concern over the resulting casualties, particularly those among students, said Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations. China condemns any attacks targeting innocent civilians.A protracted Ukraine crisis intensifies the situation on the battlefield and brings about immense suffering to the people. These are things that no party, including China, wishes to see, he told an emergency meeting of the Security Council on Ukraine.Lately, the parties have launched frequent and large-scale drone and missile attacks, subjecting more and more residential areas, schools, and civilian infrastructure to attacks. It is a very worrisome situation, said Fu.We call on the parties to remain calm and exercise restraint, strictly observe international humanitarian law, effectively protect civilians, cease attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, promptly de-escalate the situation on the battlefield, and strive to bring hope for an early return to peace, he said.The Ukraine issue is at a critical stage of dialogue and negotiations, he said.The relevant parties should redouble their efforts, demonstrate political will, show flexibility, take seriously each other's legitimate security concerns and address them properly, and aim to reach a comprehensive, lasting, and binding peace agreement at an early date, said Fu.China's position on the Ukraine issue is objective and impartial, as well as consistent. China has always stood on the side of peace, dialogue, and humanity. China firmly supports ending the conflict and reaching a political solution and has made extensive efforts to promote peace talks. Together with the international community, China stands ready to continue playing a constructive role in th...

Chinese astronauts Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan and Li Jiaying, or Lai Ka-ying in Cantonese, for the upcoming Shenzhou-23 spaceflight mission, met the press on Saturday.

An astronaut from the Shenzhou-23 crew to be launched to space Sunday is set to carry out a one-year-long in-orbit stay experiment, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) said on Saturday.