The Sultanate of Oman, or Oman for short, is a country in western Asia, off the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It guards the Strait of Hormuz between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, one of the world's most important oil export routes.
Oman is one of the oldest countries on the Arabian Peninsula. In 2000 BC, Oman was already engaged in extensive maritime and land trade activities and became the shipbuilding center on the Arabian Peninsula. On May 25, 1978, Oman established diplomatic relations with China.