KUNMING, May 25 (Xinhua) -- The 70th joint patrol on the Mekong River with law enforcers from China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand was completed on Friday.

Ten vessels and more than 160 law enforcers participated in the mission which started on Tuesday.

During the joint patrol, the personnel held a seminar on security and hydrological analysis of the Mekong River.

The patrols have greatly improved the awareness of residents along the river.

The joint patrols started in December 2011 to tackle concerns after a gang hijacked two cargo ships and killed 13 Chinese sailors in Thai waters on Oct. 5, 2011.

The Mekong River, known as the Lancang River in China, runs through China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, and is an important waterway for transnational shipping.?