95th joint patrol on Mekong River completed

The 95th Mekong River joint patrol by China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand concluded Friday, with two Chinese law-enforcement vessels returning home to port.

A total of 127 law-enforcement officers from the four countries participated in the operation, with three vessels navigating 654 km of river over a period of four days and three nights, according to the Yunnan provincial public security department.

Law-enforcement officers from the countries also exchanged views and reached consensus on cracking down on gun and drug sales, smuggling, and human trafficking in the area during the patrol.

The Mekong River, known as the Lancang River in China, is a vital waterway for cross-border shipping among China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand have been carrying out joint patrols on the Mekong River for eight years.