(CNN) -- International shipping services have returned to the Mekong River, one of the region's busiest trade routes, as four nations launch a joint patrol to secure the waterway.
On Sunday, 10 Chinese merchant ships reached the Thai northern port of Chiang Saen, escorted by five armed patrol boats from China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, according to the Chinese Ministry of Public Security.
The joint effort is in response to the October 5 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. Nations will work closely together while respecting each other's sovereignty, the Chinese ministry said.
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 Xinhua report.
On Sunday, Thai patrol vessels escorted 10 Chinese ships from the northern border to Chiang Saen port, Xinhua reported.
CNN's Dayu Zhang and Xiaoyu Luo contributed to this report.
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