Four Mekong countries take part in river patrol
Thailand, Laos, Myanmar and China kicked off another joint round of patrols on the Mekong on Wednesday to prevent illegal activities along the international river.
Law enforcers from the riparian counties are taking part in the four-day patrol, which will cover a distance of more than 600 kilometres, China Radio International (CRI) reported.
Four patrol vessels are taking part in the latest security mission. Two Chinese vessels departed Yunnan’s Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture on Wednesday morning to join two other vessels from Laos and Myanmar downstream.
Prior to the patrol, law enforcers from these countries held online talks to analyse criminal movements and the Covid-19 situation along the Mekong.
So far, the Mekong countries have conducted at least 120 joint patrols on the river that runs through their territories.
The Mekong River, or Lancang River as it is known in China, is a vital waterway for cross-border shipping and trading.
Thailand, Laos, Myanmar and China have been conducting joint patrols on the river since December 2011.
Over the decade, the security situation in the Mekong River basin has improved significantly and remains largely stable, Xinhua reported, citing the Yunnan provincial public security department.
Vientiane Times
Asia News Network
