dited, Graver (1992: 1018-1019) showed that such a notion has
strongly influenced Chinese policy in the South China Sea since the late
1970s. While the area’s importance as a transit lane between the Indian
and Pacific Oceans was continually emphasised in Chinese commentary
during the 1980s and 1990s, this was overshadowed by discussions on
the exploitation of natural resources in the region. Control over the
South China Sea was seen as a way for China to seek living space for its
population and achieve a position of great power through the exploitation
of oil, gas, fisheries and other resources.