This chapter investigates a brief historical overview of China's relations with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states in order to emphasize the increasing depth of engagement. It discusses China's strategic hedging approach to the Gulf region, which has allowed China to pursue denser ties to regional actors without a corresponding security commitment. The chapter also discusses two competing approaches to Gulf security emphasized in Chinese discourse: security through development and security through power projection. These competing visions are important in attempting to understand what type of regional security role China could reasonably be expected to play. Economic relations have been the driving force of China—GCC relations, with trade playing a central role, but finance and investment becoming increasingly important as well. The interdependence period begins with the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Saudi Arabia. Chinese leaders emphasize the pursuit of common interest in their partnerships, and the preference to avoid issues of potential conflict.