China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand joint patrol makes Mekong safer

Zhong Zeran, captain of Zhonghui 6, has been engaged in shipping on the Mekong for sixteen years. When interviewed at Guanlei Harbour, he said, “Shipping on the Mekong is increasing-ly safer. The joint law enforcement of the Mekong by China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand has turned the Mekong into a safe and profitable river!”

After the 10/5 Mekong Massacre in 2011, China, Laos, Myanmar and Thai-land signed the Joint Statement on Law Enforcement and Security Cooperation in the Mekong River Basin, according to which the four countries conducted the first joint patrol of the Mekong on December 10, 2011. So far, the joint patrol forces have escorted more than 720 merchant ships.

During each patrol, law enforcement officers from the four countries educate merchant ship crews on shipping safety, hand out police-civilian contact cards, explain help-seeking methods, and issue alarm reporting numbers to people in all countries along the Mekong. According to Liu Jianhong, political commissar of the Yunnan Frontier Corps Water Detachment, joint patrols along the Mekong are now carried out on a monthly basis. By February 24, 2016, a total of 43 joint patrols have been completed.

China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand joint patrol makes Mekong safer

Zhong Zeran, captain of Zhonghui 6, has been engaged in shipping on the Mekong for sixteen years. When interviewed at Guanlei Harbour, he said, Shipping on the Mekong is increasing-ly safer. The joint law enforcement of the Mekong by China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand has turned the Mekong into a safe and profitable river! After the 10/5 Mekong Massacre in 2011, China, Laos, Myanmar and Thai-land signed the Joint Statement on Law Enforcement and Security Cooperation in the Mekong River Basin, according to which the four countries conducted the first joint patrol of the Mekong on December 10, 2011. So far, the joint patrol forces have escorted more than 720 merchant ships. During each patrol, law enforcement officers from the four countries educate merchant ship crews on shipping safety, hand out police-civilian contact cards, explain help-seeking methods, and issue alarm reporting numbers to people in all countries along the Mekong. According to Liu Jianhong, political commissar of the Yunnan Frontier Corps Water Detachment, joint patrols along the Mekong are now carried out on a monthly basis. By February 24, 2016, a total of 43 joint patrols have been completed.