KUNMING — The 111th joint Mekong River patrol by China, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand concluded on Nov 19, with two Chinese law-enforcement vessels returning to port in Southwest China's Yunnan province.

The joint patrol involved 79 law enforcers and consisted of five vessels. It navigated 561 kilometers over four days and three nights, the Yunnan provincial public security department said.

During the patrol, the four countries carried out joint law enforcement activities in key waters of the river and made every effort to ensure the security and stability of the river basin.

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

China, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand have been carrying out joint patrols on the Mekong River since December 2011.