KUNMING, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- The 156th joint Mekong River patrol by China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand concluded on Friday, according to the public security department of southwest China's Yunnan Province.

Over 100 law-enforcement personnel and seven patrol vessels from the four countries were involved in the latest joint patrol of the river. To maintain the safety of the waterway, the mission included integrated land-water inspections and training in key water areas, targeting cross-border crimes such as online gambling, telecom fraud, and drug production and trafficking.

During the patrol, relevant law enforcement agencies from the four countries held an information exchange meeting in Wan Pong, Myanmar, to analyze the security situation in the Lancang-Mekong drainage area, discuss case information and outline future cooperation priorities.

A total of over 100 vessels and more than 2,300 tonnes of goods were inspected, effectively deterring various cross-border criminal activities.

The Mekong River -- known as the Lancang River in China -- is a vital waterway for cross-border shipping. China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand have been conducting joint patrols of the river since December 2011. ■