In the Gulf region, the Saudi-led GCC countries were different from China in regard to ideology, so they misjudged China’s internal political system and international position, believing that the collapse of the Soviet Union would also bring about significant political change in China. They were therefore cautious and even hesitated to develop closer relations with Beijing. Iraq and Iran were subject to a U.S. dual-containment strategy, and moreover, Iraq was the focus of international sanctions. If China had to make a choice among these Gulf countries, Iran was the only possible choice as China’s pillar in the Gulf region.