The area along the Mekong River has experienced numerous cross-border crimes in recent years. (Photo : REUTERS)
In an effort to combat drug trafficking and illegal immigration along the Mekong River, China will establish a law enforcement center in Yunnan Province, in cooperation with Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, according to a report by China Daily.
"A comprehensive law enforcement and security cooperation center along the Mekong River will be set up and based in Jinghong, Yunnan Province, in 2016 to conduct intelligence sharing and joint operations with three countries," said Liao Jinrong, a senior director at the Ministry of Public Security.
A director will then be appointed to oversee operations. The position will be filled on a rotational basis among the four countries.
The area along the Mekong River has experienced numerous cross-border crimes in recent years, including terrorist activities and organized smuggling, among others.
According to the ministry, crimes will continue to be a rising trend unless the government steps up its security policies.
"Such crimes tend to become more severe and complex, posing a serious threat to regional security and stability," said Minister of Public Security Guo Shengkun.
This will not be the first time that the four countries involved have pooled their resources and efforts. On Oct. 11, they agreed to establish a law enforcement cooperation mechanism which would be dedicated to conducting joint patrols along the river. The move was in response to the killing of 13 Chinese sailors at the hands of a drug trafficking ring in the Golden Triangle area.
In a span of four years, authorities have already uncovered 9,111 cross-border drug trafficking cases, arrested 10,455 suspects and confiscated 35.7 metric tons of illegal drugs, according to data provided by the ministry.
