China’s leading newspaper South China Morning Post has described an international tribunal’s ruling on the Indus Waters Treaty as a significant success for Pakistan.

According to the Chinese publication, the tribunal’s decision came as an unexpected setback for India and a major boost for Pakistan’s position on the long-running water dispute.

The newspaper noted that despite wars and prolonged tensions between Pakistan and India, the Indus Waters Treaty had remained in place for decades.

It reported that the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled on August 31 that New Delhi had no legal basis to suspend the treaty. The tribunal also ordered restrictions on aspects of the construction of the Ratle Hydroelectric Power Project in Indian-occupied Kashmir.

The South China Morning Post said the ruling further strengthened Pakistan’s stance, with the five-member tribunal unanimously rejecting India’s arguments concerning the suspension of the treaty.

The Chinese newspaper described the ruling as a clear decision in Pakistan’s favour over India’s disputed move, calling it a diplomatic achievement for Islamabad.

It added that the tribunal’s decision had effectively challenged India’s position and strengthened Pakistan’s case in the dispute over the implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty.
 

A settlement panel rejected Chinese investor Min Fengzhen’s challenge of a 2024 claim dismissal, giving South Korea a final decision in a 264 billion won ($197 million) investor-state dispute, according to the justice ministry on Sunday.

According to a statement from the ministry, this is South Korea’s first win in a complete hearing of an international investor dispute.

The case focused on Min’s allegation that a lender’s seizure and sale of pledged shares connected to a failing Beijing real estate project violated protections under an investment treaty between South Korea and China.

In 2024, the initial tribunal rejected the claim, stating that the investment was unlawful and hence not covered by the treaty.

Pakistan suffered another major setback in Test cricket after being whitewashed by England in the Test series, dropping one place to ninth in the 10-team rankings.

The whitewash against England has further deepened Pakistan’s struggles in Test cricket, with the national team reaching its lowest-ever position in the 10-team Test rankings.

Pakistan have won only seven of their last 20 Test matches, while their continued poor performances have also resulted in a decline in the rankings.

The national team have suffered whitewashes in six of their last 12 Test series, further highlighting Pakistan’s struggles to maintain their position in Test cricket.

The latest rankings setback comes after Pakistan failed to avoid a series whitewash against England, adding to concerns over the team’s continued poor run in the longest format.