Swallow Reef after developing

　　As Swallow Reef is at an important geographical location, situated in a sea with rich petroleum resources, besides being near one of the Malaysia's main cities, Malaysia occupied the islet around 1983, renamed it Pulau Layang Layang and installed a naval garrison. In 1993, when the runway and resort had just been completed, Prime Minister Mahathir visited Swallow Reef in person, which shows the importance that the Malaysian government attaches to the island and their determination to develop it. Swallow Reef was officially opened to the public the following year.
　　The Malaysian government's policy with respect to Swallow Reef has been quite successful. They allow foreign tourists to visit without special permission being needed. The purpose of their operation, however, is not the income that tourism brings, but to demonstrate their sovereignty to international society through tourism. They have altered the maps to incorporate Swallow Reef into one of their administrative divisions, to show that the islet is owned and governed by Malaysia. Everything on the reef is managed in such a way as to strengthen their sovereignty. In addition, the Malaysia government has gradually expanded their territory. They are slowly occupying a few islands to the north of Swallow Reef, and are preparing to develop them like Swallow Reef and declare sovereignty over them to strengthen their power in the South China Sea.