Navy shifts focus to protect interests

Major strategic blueprint highlights nation's maritime challenges, need for international cooperation

A shift in naval focus from "offshore defense" to a combination of "offshore defense" and "open seas protection" was announced in a major strategic white paper issued by the State Council on Tuesday, and it has already been implemented.

The paper, titled China's Military Strategy, highlights the nation's maritime security challenges and measures to protect the expanding overseas interests of the world's second-largest economy.