Scholars trace ancient Indus and Yangtze river links

Chinese and Pakistani scholars are working to trace centuries-old connections between the Indus and Yangtze river civilisations, according to reports published on Sunday by CPEC Info and The Daily CPEC. The outlets said the researchers are reconstructing a shared history, but the reports available to Skardu Times did not include the names of the institutions, scholars or findings involved.

The reports appeared on 21 September and described the work as an attempt to map ancient links between the two river systems. Both river basins are widely studied for their early settled societies, and the Yangtze and the Indus are among Asia's longest rivers. No official statement, funding source or project timeline was given in the material published by any of the three outlets that carried the story.

The collaboration follows years of expanded academic and cultural exchange between Pakistan and China, much of it promoted alongside the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. It was not clear from the reports whether the scholars' work is formally part of a CPEC cultural initiative or an independent academic effort.

The Daily CPEC framed the effort as reconstructing a shared history, while CPEC Info described scholars as tracing centuries-old links through the Indus and Yangtze. Skardu Times could not independently verify the claims beyond the headlines and standfirsts published by the outlets.