China discreetly launches initiative to combat ‘illegal activities in key areas’ in South China Sea
A recent US report has claimed that China has discreetly initiated a maritime law enforcement initiative with an aim to enhance marine environmental protection and combat "illegal activities in key areas", including offshore oil exploration as well as shipping and related operations.“China's Ministry of Natural Resources, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Ministry of Transport and China Coast Guard, in a joint statement released on April 1, had announced the commencement of an eight-month-long "Bihai 2020" (or "Blue Sea 2020") initiative,” US-based Diplomat magazine has said in its report.According to the joint statement, the Bihai 2020 initiative, which is stipulated to last from April 1 to November 30, focusses on combating illegal activities in eight key areas -- marine engineering c