China’s new energy security: a swing of the pendulum

Purpose The aim of this paper is to understand and investigate the context of energy security in China.
Design/Methodology/Approach The study was conducted by analyzing and synthesizing the domestic and international literature on China’s energy security, including government documents. 
Findings The findings reveal that Chinese national leaders have overestimated the external threats of energy security challenges and the actual effectiveness of certain external energy security measures, such as acquisition of foreign equity energy assets and establishment of international pipelines. On the other hand, the internal energy security challenges appear to be more visible and evident but have received disproportionally little attention from Chinese energy leaders. 
Practical Implications The conclusions call for a swing of the analytical pendulum—a shift from the narrow understanding that paint “energy security” and “security of oil imports” with the same brush to the broader understanding that “energy security” that takes into account both internal and external challenges. 
Originality/Value The paper provides a more reasonable theorization of China’s energy security.