The PLA Navy are not only protecting Chinese ships, they also provide escort services to many foreign ships.

There was some irony in this as early plans for the 8th Air Force had envisaged the need for an escort, albeit with short-range Spitfires.

If the plan gets off the ground, Chinese police vessels could escort commercial ships beyond China's borders in the part of the Mekong near the Golden Triangle.

China's Ministry of Transport began accepting applications for escort on the same day, and 15 Chinese ships have applied.

Green Dam Youth Escort was launched last year with the stated goal of protecting children from pornography and violent content on the Internet.