Chinese police conclude 2nd joint patrol along Mekong River

XISHUANGBANNA, Yunnan - Chinese police on Monday concluded the second joint patrol along the Mekong River with their counterparts from Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, according to an official news release.

The patrol was aimed at maintaining security along the river, a major regional transportation route shared by China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand.

The joint patrol fleet arrived at Guanlei Port, located in Xishuangbanna prefecture in southwest China's Yunnan Province, on Monday afternoon, accompanying a Chinese commercial vessel which was attacked by gunmen.

The vessel, Shengtai-11, was attacked by unidentified gunmen Saturday evening on the Mekong River in Laos. None of its crew were injured.

According to the news release, Chinese and Laotian police arrived on the scene and handled the crisis.

Moreover, patrol forces have acquired more experience in fleet sailing, early warning mechanisms, and coordinated fight plans, paving the way for future patrol missions along the Mekong river.

Official statistics show that Guanlei Port recorded more than 4,400 personnel exits and entries, as well as more than 13,400 metric tons of imported and exported cargo, between Dec 10 and Jan 13.

International transport on the Mekong River fully resumed after the four nations' law enforcement agencies conducted a joint patrol on Dec 10 and stepped up cooperation to ensure the safety of the river.

Passenger services on the river were suspended for four months after tourists were robbed in the river's "Golden Triangle" area in August. Shipping services were also halted after 13 Chinese sailors on two cargo ships were killed in the area on October 5.