Given the growth in economic relations between China and the Persian Gulf states, there is a sense that China’s political power in the Gulf is rising as well, which may result in a challenge to the United States’ role as the dominant extra-regional power. China has been active diplomatically, intensifying its political efforts and signing partnership agreements. Yet, Beijing has appeared comfortable in the second tier of external powers in the Gulf, where regional leaders look toward Washington for leadership on major political issues like the schism between Qatar and its GCC neighbors and the ongoing tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia and the UAE.