China-Russia space camp in Malaysia opens to youth in Southeast Asia

While major powers compete in militarised space races and state-led megaprojects, a group comprising a Russian astronaut trainer, Chinese science educators and Malaysian collaborators is laying the groundwork for an international youth space camp.

Set to be held in Penang’s rainforest eco-park in late 2027 at the earliest, the week-long programme will gather youth from around the region to inspire future spacefarers, scientists and global citizens through physical exercises, immersion in space and natural sciences, and ethical education to build positive personality traits.

The project is an initiative in “people’s diplomacy”, as described by Russian astronaut trainer Timofey Egorov, who has co-developed the programme with the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum and Malaysian project initiator Winfred Khoo for children aged seven to 17.

Egorov, who works at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre just outside Moscow, spoke about the Russian tradition of youth space camps in nature at the Commonwealth of World Chinatowns conference this month in Penang, a Malaysian state known for its rich cultural heritage.