through which which 在里指代什么?

题目

through which which 在里指代什么?
On the deference end, Vietnam is signing a series of agreements with China on defense and offshore oil exploration.
Avoiding conflict in an area through which so much global commerce passes is critical, U.S. business leaders say.

答案

指代前面的签署协议 signing a series of agreements on defense and offshore oil exploration.
就是在一个地区通过这种方式避免冲突