On Sunday, 10 Chinese merchant ships reached the Thai northern port of Chiang Saen, under the escort of five armed ships from China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, according to the Chinese Ministry of Public Security.
The four countries launched a joint police patrol during the weekend in response to the October attack on two Chinese ships that killed 13 soldiers and caused China to suspend ships in that portion of the river.
The incident occurred in northern Thailand's Chiang Rai province, where the borders with Myanmar and Laos intersect. Set within Southeast Asia's Golden Triangle, the region has had a reputation as a hub for the narcotics trade.
Nine Thai soldiers have been detained over the killing of the soldiers and have been charged with murder and tampering with evidence. They have denied the charges.
Under the agreement, the four nations will escort ships and share intelligence to safeguard ships and sailors on the river, according to China's state-run Xinhua news agency.
The patrol vessels are armed with heavy machine guns and 10 cm-thick walls; police officers are equipped with bullet-proof life jackets and automatic rifles, according to the report.
On Sunday, Thai patrol vessels escorted 10 Chinese ships from the northern border to Chiang Saen port, Xinhua reported.
The Mekong spans some 3,000 miles (4,800 km), crossing through China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.
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