THE AGREEMENT REACHED AMONG CHINA, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand to jointly crack down on cross-border crime and secure transportation along the Mekong River is a timely decision and will be welcomed by the 70 million people living in the river valley. It will help secure a safe waterway for passengers and cargo ships traveling along the river too.

The decision was made at a one-day law enforcement meeting held in Beijing on Monday among senior cabinet members from the four nations.

Their renewed efforts to work even more closely on the Mekong's security have come in the wake of worsening security situation in the "Golden Triangle" area, where the borders of Myanmar, Laos and Thailand meet. A region that is notorious for its drug production and trafficking.