China, Russia joint law enforcement concludes

China and Russia concluded a border law enforcement campaign Thursday in north China's Inner Mongolia, with the two sides vowing to further develop cooperation.

Launched in April in response to resolutions by the regional counterterrorist arm of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the campaign was aimed at cracking down on activities that threatened regional stability, such as illegal fishing, poaching and smuggling.

A total of ten joint law enforcement drills and three joint inspections were conducted over a seven-month period, with 17 suspects detained and 56 illegal vessels seized. Counterterrorim drills were also staged, according to officials at the wrap-up meeting held in Hohhot, capital of Inner Mongolia.

Both sides have expressed the intention to ramp up border patrols and joint inspections as well as clamp-down on cross-border crimes.