(Ecns.cn)--Solemn farewell ceremonies for the 13 Chinese crew members murdered on the Mekong River were held before cremation on November 5 and 7. The families of the deceased crew members, Chinese officials and work teams as well as Thai policemen and government officials attended the ceremonies.
Murders still under investigation
Of the 13 crew members, 11 of the bodies were cremated in Thailand's Chiang Rai province, while the bodies of the other two were taken home by their families.
He Xixing and his wife were both killed aboard the ship "Yu Xing 8," but their families insisted that they "won't agree to cremation until the truth is disclosed" and have not reached an agreement with the Chinese government. They have since returned to their hometown in Sichuan province.
The incident occurred more than a month ago, but those responsible have not yet been confirmed, although Thai police claim that nine soldiers suspected of killing the Chinese crew members have confessed to the crimes. A Sino-Thai joint investigation is still underway.
Troubled waters of the Golden Triangle
Following an onsite investigation, the owners of the two ships received notice from Thailand that the vessels could be returned to China.
However, the owners say they have no intention of taking them back. "It is a latent rule that nobody will dare drive a vessel in which death has occurred," said Guo Zhiqiang, one of the owners of Yu Xing 8. "They have to be torn down and sold as scrap iron."
The Lancang-Mekong River flows through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. A navigation agreement was signed by China, Myanmar, Laos and Thailand in 2001.
Since then, sailors have been kidnapped and murdered along the river from time to time.
Furthermore, robberies, kidnapping and drug trafficking have often taken place along the Mekong, also known as the "golden channel."
Triggered by the recent tragedy and subsequent criticism, governments have begun to take action to address security issues along the troubled waterway.
A conference between China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand themed "Security for the Mekong River" was held in Beijing on October 31. It was agreed that a cooperation mechanism for security enforcement would be formally established and that joint patrols of the Mekong River would soon go into operation. Shipping is expected to return to normal by December.
The Chinese government will organize a marine security force of over 1,000 members to assist counterparts in Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, according to Fang Youguo, chairman of the Lancang River Shipping Association. The navy aims to set up stations and patrol focused areas rather than the whole course, in order to protect passengers and cargo along the river, he added.
Currently, the Chinese government has already purchased five vessels and is converting them to escorts, said Fang.
