The Gulf Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) was established on 19 September 1995 at the Institute of West-Asia and Africa Studies (IWAAS). Teng Teng, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the Gulf Research Center. The conference adopted the charter of the Gulf Research Center of CASS and elected the council of the Gulf Research Center.

The purpose of the center is to strengthen the research of the Gulf region and the Gulf states, to carry out scientific research activities, to promote Chinese and foreign academic exchanges between the Gulf states scholars, to strengthen economic and cultural exchanges between China and the Gulf states and cooperation and serve the construction of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

The honorary president of the first council of the Gulf Research Center is TengTeng, the president is Zhao Guozhong, and the vice presidents were Jiang Hanzhang and Wen Boyou. The president of the second council is Yang Guang, vice president is Wang Jinglie. The current president is Yang Guang, vice presiden is Wang Lincong, and the secretary-general is Chen Mo.

Since its establishment, the center has held many academic activities and made important contributions to the study of the Gulf issues and academic exchanges home and abroad.