TWO Chinese law-enforcement vessels returned to a port in Southwest China’s Yunnan Province on Friday, concluding the 117th joint Mekong River patrol by China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand.

Four vessels from the four countries, with 84 law-enforcement officers on board, sailed over 600 km for four days and three nights with missions to ensure the safety and stability of the river basin, according to the Yunnan Provincial Public Security Department.

The Mekong River, whose section in China is called the Lancang River, is a vital waterway for cross-border shipping.

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

(Xinhua)