This aerial photo taken on Feb. 7, 2023 shows the view along the Mekong River at Lao capital Vientiane. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)
KUNMING, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Law-enforcement authorities from China, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand joined forces on Tuesday to begin the 132nd Mekong River joint patrol.
At 9 a.m. Tuesday, a fleet consisting of five law enforcement vessels -- three from China, one from Laos and one from Myanmar -- departed the Jingha Port in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture in southwest China's Yunnan Province, marking the official launch of the joint patrol.
The latest operation is expected to take four days and three nights, during which the four countries will intensify efforts to combat various types of cross-border crimes arising from gambling scams in the Mekong River basin, and to maintain the security and stability of the region.
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 on the river since December 2011. ■
