BANGKOK - The Chinese police will work closely with the Thai side on the probe into the killing of 13 Chinese sailors on Mekong River earlier this month, a senior Chinese police official said here on Monday.

Zhang Xinfeng, Vice Minister of Public Security of China said during a meeting with Thai Police Chief Priewpan Damapong that the Chinese government attached great importance to the investigation on the case and hoped to work closely with the Thai side.

A delegation, consisting of 8 senior officials sent by China's Ministry of Public Security and headed by Zhang, arrived in Bangkok Sunday night for work related to the killing. They are also scheduled to meet Chalerm Ubumrung, vice premier of Thailand in charge of security later Monday.

"The purpose of the Chinese police delegation is to cooperate closely and exchange views with the Thai police over the investigation on the case, so as to facilitate the process of the investigation and bring the culprits to justice," said Zhang.

The Royal Thai Police had instructed senior officials and experts to work strenuously on the case and would continue cooperation with the Chinese police to accelerate the investigation, said Priewpan.

He pledged that the Thai police would unearth the truth about the case and deliver reports to the Chinese side as soon as possible.

Two cargo ships, Hua Ping and Yu Xing 8, were attacked by unidentified armed people on a section of Mekong River on Oct 5. 13 Chinese sailors were killed.