Four
countries, including China, have agreed joint security operations on the Mekong
River where 13 Chinese sailors were murdered last month.
Officials from China, Burma, Thailand and Laos
vowed to boost law enforcement on the river, according to a statement released
after a meeting in Beijing on Monday.
"The smuggling of drugs and weapons has
been rampant on the Mekong in recent years and crimes such as blackmail and
armed robbery occur frequently and endanger shipping," the statement,
released by the Ministry of Public Security, said.
"It's necessary for law enforcement
agencies to strengthen cooperation and take effective measures," it said.
The agreement came after 13 Chinese sailors,
on two cargo ships, Hua Ping and Yu Xing 8, were shot with their hands tied
behind their back on the Mekong River on October 5.
Nine Thai soldiers surrendered on Friday as
suspects in the case.
"The participants (in the meeting) agreed
to take effective measures to boost efforts in a joint investigation to uncover
the details of the case and bring the criminals to justice as soon as
possible," the statement said.
The four countries established a new security
mechanism for the river.
Under the agreement, the countries will share
intelligence, patrols and law enforcement. The agreement also stipulates
cooperation in case of major incidents endangering public order and any
emergencies.
Tackling transnational crime is also covered.
All participants will "carry out
coordinated special campaigns to eradicate criminal organisations which have
long threatened the region's security", the statement said.
Song Qingrun, a researcher at the China
Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, called the joint law
enforcement mechanism a breakthrough.
"It will help ensure the safety of
sailors from the four countries," Song said.
"Strengthening security cooperation on
the Mekong is important as it provides a broad scope for economic development
between China and other concerned countries," he added.
The agreement, if fully implemented, could
lead to long-term stability on the Mekong, Dai Peng, director at the criminal
investigation department under the Chinese People's Pubic Security University,
said.
But due to legal hurdles and the different
political systems in each of the countries, there are major concerns over its
implementation, he said.
"After all it's just an agreement on
paper."
The 4,880-kilometre Mekong is the longest
river in Southeast Asia, and has been dubbed the "Oriental Danube"
for its crucial economic role.
The river is an important shipping route
linking China to Southeast Asia. From 2000 to 2009 more than 3 million tonnes
of cargo were shipped from China's Yunnan province along the river.
The nine soldiers who turned themselves in
face charges of murder and concealing evidence, The Nation newspaper in Bangkok
reported on Monday.
The soldiers are thought to have links to a
drug kingpin in Burma, the paper said.
National Thai police chief, General Priewpan
Damapong, promised a full investigation and said the military was fully
cooperating.
"Police will prosecute all nine
soldiers," he told the paper. "Their actions have nothing to do with
the Thai army."
Zhang Yan and Cui Haipei
China Daily
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