112th Mekong River joint patrol begins

KUNMING, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Law-enforcement authorities from China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand joined forces on Friday for the 112th Mekong River joint patrol.

The Chinese vessels departed on Friday from Jingha Port in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, for the patrol, said the Yunnan provincial public security department.

The vessels are expected to navigate over 580 km in four days and three nights during the latest joint operation, according to the department.

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

The 112th patrol also marks the 10-year anniversary of the joint operation, which was launched by the four countries on Dec. 10, 2011.