[InKunming--Sister Cities] The 76th Mekong River joint patrol led by China, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand started on Tuesday morning from Guanlei Port, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture in southwest China's Yunnan Province.

According to Yunnan border police bureau, the joint patrol will last five days and cover a range of over 500 kilometers to enhance anti-terrorism capability, safeguard the security and crack down on cross-border crimes.

The patrol will include anti-terrorism drills, police skill practices and an anti-drug campaign.

Since December 2011, the joint patrols have covered more than 39,500 kilometers, with 122 merchant ships rescued and 582.28 kilograms of drugs seized.

The Mekong River, also known as the Lancang River in China, is a vital waterway for cross-border shipping among China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.