Law enforcement authorities from China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand completed their 154th joint patrol of the Mekong River on Friday.
The joint patrol saw six vessels and nearly 200 law enforcement officers from the four countries, covering over 600 kilometers of water in an operation that lasts four days and three nights.
The focus of the patrol, which coincided with International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Thursday, was a crackdown on drug crime to ensure safety and stability along the river.
The law enforcement fleet carried out diverse drug prevention campaigns in riverside villages, schools and enterprises.
The Mekong River -- known as the Lancang River in China -- is a vital waterway for cross-border shipping. China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand have been conducting joint patrols of the river since December 2011.
154th Mekong River joint patrol concludes
During the New Year holiday running from Jan 1 to 3, major commercial districts across China all saw a surge in both consumer traffic and sales in consumption, according to the Ministry of Commerce.
The latest big data released by the Ministry of Commerce indicate that the average daily customer traffic at 78 key pedestrian streets and commercial districts nationwide rose by 5.9 percent compared with the New Year holiday season in 2025, while total sales increased by 4.9 percent.
In Wuhan City, central China's Hubei Province, the city's first park-style super commercial complex was bustling with visitors during the three-day holiday season.
On New Year's Day alone, the customer traffic at the complex exceeded 120,000 visits.
The newly opened business district features a wide range of immersive experiencing activities, including live band performances and interactive activities with small animals, while emphasizing friendly services.
These include facilities designed for families with infants, pet-friendly spaces, and dedicated cycling-friendly areas inside shops where cyclists can inflate tires and lubricate their bicycles.
In Beijing's Wukesong commercial district, a combination of trendy cross-industry collaboration and technology-driven innovation created fresh experiences for consumers during the holiday.
New Year countdown concerts and robot performances inside shopping malls added excitement for consumers.
Meanwhile, the Chunxi Road commercial district, Chengdu City of southwest China's Sichuan Province, panda-themed events attracted large crowds of shoppers.
Both residents and tourists flocked to the commercial district to take photos and purchase Sichuan-style specialty gifts.
"During the New Year holiday at our Chunxi Road store, foot traffic reached about one to two times the usual level. Around 1,500 visitors came to our store every day, and our turnover increased by about 60 percent. The other two stores we operate in the Chunxi Road commercial district also saw remarkble growth in both customer traffic and sales," said Ye Mingqian, manager of the Chunxi Road store of Panda Pastry Co.
In Shenzhen City, south China's Guangdong Province, the Pink Street commercial complex officially opened during the New Year holiday.
The new street brings together nearly 40 first stores and flagship stores, featuring intangible cultural heritage experiencing activities, creative dining, and avant-garde lifestyle brands.
"Our brand offers very distinctive cultural and creative products from Peru. By opening our store here in the Shenzhen Bay area, we hope to bring local residents more products that are fresh and more interesting," said a store owner named Ma Yuxia.
Key business districts see growth in customer traffic, sales during New Year holiday
