155th joint patrol of Mekong River concludes

KUNMING, July 25 (Xinhua) -- The 155th joint Mekong River patrol by China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand concluded on Friday, according to the public security department of southwest China's Yunnan Province.

Seven vessels and more than 100 law enforcement personnel from the four countries traveled over 700 kilometers during the patrol, which lasted four days and three nights.

The mission included joint land-water inspections in water areas like Ban Xiangkok. During the patrol, relevant law enforcement agencies from the four countries held an information exchange meeting in Chiang Saen, Thailand. They analyzed the security situation in the Lancang-Mekong drainage area, shared joint law enforcement experience and their focus of future law enforcement cooperation, and reached several consensuses.

China, Laos and Myanmar will also conduct joint garrison training operations in water areas like Ban Xiangkok to further enhance emergency rescue and practical combat coordination capabilities.

The Mekong River, known as the Lancang River in China, is a vital waterway for cross-border shipping.

The four countries have been conducting joint patrols of the river since December 2011. ■