Sino-US Relations in the Persian Gulf during Obama’s Administration

The Persian Gulf is one of the most important regions of the world and has been vital for the great powers since a long time ago, not only for its energy resources but also for its strategic location. After the British withdrawal from the region in 1971, the United States filled the vacuum and tried to preserve the status quo during the Cold War. Since the 1980s, China has also found attraction in the region s vast energy resources and market. But in the 21st century, with the rise of China as the second-largest economy in the world, the importance of the Persian Gulf has been enhanced in China s view to manage its energy needs and benefit from its lucrative market and possible bilateral capital investment. This article intends to examine the relationships between China and the United States of America during Obama s administration. By using the Power Cycle Theory, it is concluded that the United States has accepted the Chinese position as the rising power in the Persian Gulf region and that their relationships were based on collaboration and competition, not confrontation or hostility, which seems to continue in the foreseeable future as well.