Greening China’s Belt and Road Initiative: From Norm Localization to Norm Subsidiarity?

Abstract From 2015, China began to promote eco-sustainability in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) through not only vision statements but also specific guidelines governance initiatives. What has driven these policy changes? Bringing together theories of norm localization, subsidiarity, deliberation, we argue that China’s move toward green BRI as a localization process where environmental norms emerged open space created by top leaders carrying ambition make new global model. After adopting broad on stewardship, state bureaucracies found opportunities create procedural operational rules. A novel rule-making methodology emphasizing inclusive dialogue with host countries emerged, leaders’ pursuit international leadership preexisting local guiding South–South cooperation. With rules, different actors follow their preferences localize existing standards or develop ones.