Chinese action film "Operation Mekong" has brought in 700 million RMB (about $1 million) since its premiere on Sept. 30. The film is based on a true story of 13 Chinese sailors who were killed by members of a drug trafficking gang in Myanmar.

The film has received a warm reception among online reviewers. Its rating reached 8.2 on Douban, a popular social networking site in China. Many netizens have written comments on Weibo and WeChat recommending the film. It is also a popular online search term.

A commentary in People's Daily attributed the success of the film to its very sincere production. According to Lin Chaoxian, the film's director, writers came up with six or seven different screenplays over the course of three years. Before shooting finally began, Lin and his team embarked on an onsite tour of the Mekong River. They even had the chance to closely observe the villages where the drug dealers used to live.

Liu Yuejin, vice director of the National Narcotics Control Committee, was a chief adviser for the film. One opening scene was shot in the office of a vice public security minister - a first for Chinese cinema.

These efforts appear to have paid off. Many viewers spoke highly of the film's fine production and storytelling.

"Mekong River is a well-produced film with positive energy," confirmed WeChat user Huangxiaomiao.