Chinese Merchant Vessel Attacked by Unidentified Gunmen along the Mekong

According to the Ministry of Public Security, a Chinese cargo ship loaded with logs had shots fired at it by unidentified attackers along the Mekong River. Chinese and Laotian police responded.

The Shengtai-11 was returning to Thailand when shots rang out from the Lao side of the river. Luckily, no one was injured in the shooting.

China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand have been in the practice of conducting joint armed patrols along the Mekong, as this “golden triangle” is marked as a drug smuggling hub and numerous ship attacks have taken place in recent months. China’s growing status has made it possible for law enforcement extension beyond its own borders. Its navy currently escorts ships past the Horn of Africa.

The Mekong runs through China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. These six countries are actively working on developing the river cohesively. However, China is also planning on building dams along the area, alarming some of their downstream neighbors.