Book excerpt: This book introduces a comprehensive conceptual framework which examines the impact of ecological modernization on city branding, using Chinese megacity regions as examples. Focusing on city branding efforts led by local governments, it delves into practices driven by vertical inspiration, horizontal imitation, and self-reflection. It explores the influence of ecological modernization on different aspects of city branding, such as the branding process, strategy, and governance. The book also compares how ecological modernization affects city branding in terms of local government promotion and individual perceptions. Lastly, it scrutinizes city images associated with ecological modernization initiatives in symbolic urban projects, shedding light on implementation barriers from the perspective of policy network theory. This book will be of huge interest to students and scholars of Chinese urban and environmental studies, urban geography and urban sociology. It will also appeal to policy-makers, practitioners and private companies working in the fields of place promotion, city marketing and branding.