Four-nation joint patrol on Mekong River starts

KUNMING, Dec 25, 2019, Xinhua. The 89th Mekong River joint patrol led by China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand was launched Tuesday in southwest China’s Yunnan Province, Xinhua reported.

In a bid to safeguard the security and stability along the Mekong River, the four countries will carry out joint patrols, visits, inspections and safety publicity events during the four-day patrol, according to the Yunnan provincial public security department.

Cultural and sports activities, a joint meeting of commanders and a work meeting were held by the four sides in the city of Jinghong, Yunnan, before the patrol.

The joint patrols on the Mekong River started in December 2011 after a gang hijacked two cargo ships and killed 13 Chinese sailors on Oct. 5 that year.

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