120th joint patrol on Mekong River begins

KUNMING, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Law-enforcement authorities from China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand joined forces on Tuesday for the start of the 120th Mekong River joint patrol.

A total of five vessels participated in the operation. Three Chinese vessels departed at 9 a.m. from Jingha Port, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, signifying the official launch of the latest operation.

During the patrol, the four countries will continue to focus on cross-border crime crackdowns to ensure safety and stability along the river.

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

China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand have been conducting joint patrols on the river since December 2011.