The 4-day joint patrol session on the Mekong River organised by China, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar commenced on November 18.

This is the 28th time the joint event is held, featuring a number of activities, such as an anti-drug campaign, smuggling raids and implementing cooperation efforts between the participating countries.

In 2011, the four nations started joint patrols of the Mekong River in a bid to address security concerns after a criminal gang hijacked two cargo ships and killed 13 Chinese sailors in Thai waters.

Since then, they have carried out 27 terrestrial and 22 riverine inspections, and have so far protected the passage of more than 493 commercial and cargo ships.

The Mekong River runs through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.-VNA