On January 31, 2024, at the invitation of Ministry of National Defense(MOD) of Lao PDR, LMLECC representatives attended the Joint Patrol and Law Enforcement Cooperation among China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand 2023 Annual Meeting in Luang Prabang, Laos.

Mr. Wang Gang, Director of the ASEAN Division of the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Public Security(MPS) of PRC, Brig. Gen. Syphanh Phoutthavong, Director of the Border Bureau of the Lao MOD, Pol. Col. Hla Moe, Commander of the Second Command of the Water Police Bureau of the Myanmar Ministry of Home Affairs, and Pol. Maj. Gen. Noppadol Krungkrai, Deputy Commander of the 5th Police Region of Thailand, led their delegations to attend the meeting and delivered speeches respectively. The purpose of the meeting is to review and summarize the work of the joint patrol and law enforcement along the Mekong River by China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand in 2023, and to look forward to the prospects of law enforcement and security cooperation in 2024.

Under the framework of the Mekong River Joint Patrol and Law Enforcement Mechanism in 2023, China, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand successfully completed 12 joint patrol and law enforcement operations along the entire route. Four countries routinely appointed personnel to participate in the entire-route cruises and the joint meeting of commanders, took turns to host multilateral intelligence exchange meetings, successfully completed those established plans, ensured 100% safety during the cruises, and effectively cracked down on illegal crimes such as drug trafficking, telecom fraud, and illegal cross-border entries and exits. The four highly praised the fruitful results achieved since the establishment of the Mekong River Joint Patrol and Law Enforcement Mechanism and expressed their intention to continue to uphold the Spirit of Mekong River, which emphasizes that staying together through thick and thin, offering each other much needed support in times of difficulties, ensuring inclusiveness and upholding equality and reciprocity. They will further deepen profound cooperation to jointly maintain the order and security of the Lancang-Mekong River Basin.

The working group also made a special trip to Vientiane to meet with Brig. Gen. Somphone Mithaphone, Deputy Chief of General Staff Department of the Lao People's Army, and Pol. Maj. Gen. Khamking Phuilamanyvong，Deputy Minister and Director General of the General Police Department of Lao MPS.