This article examines the pros and cons of this pipeline strategy. It begins with a brief description of the Chinese oil and gas industry. It will then look at China’s pipeline diplomacy in Central and Southeast Asia. The main argument is that, while pipelines may be the most efficient means of transporting large quantities of hydrocarbons overland across long distances, they are extremely vulnerable to terrorist attacks. Therefore, it is important to assess the security risks generated by low-intensity conflicts with terrorist and separatist groups in the vicinity of the pipelines. This problem exists both inside and outside of China’s borders.