Chinese Unconventional Threats in the Era of Great Power Competition: Would China ever take a page from Iran’s playbook and cultivate relationships with violent extremist organizations (VEOs)? Despite its seeming improbability, the increasingly assertive actions of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in Southeast Asia raise this compelling question. This article explores when, where, and how the PRC might use VEOs to further its political, military, and economic goals. An analysis of Southeast Asia identifies an intersection of the PRC’s goals with those of violent non-state groups in Myanmar, the Philippines, and the Indian border regions. In each case, the PRC could plausibly advance its national interests via a partnered or proxy relationship with select VEOs. The same method of analysis identifies when and where the PRC’s collaboration with VEOs would be unlikely due to competing financial and political interests.