The EU is at the forefront in pressing for compelling instruments to cope with climate problems and China is increasingly sensitive about this. There is also a close relationship between both since the 1980s. The EU can be arguably a norm entrepreneur affecting China’s transition towards an ecological-rational political economy. This claim is interrogated by anatomising the existence of the EU’s values in China. The analysis starts with identifying the norms upheld by the EU followed by evaluating diffusion and internalisation. Document analysis reveals that certain behaviours of the EU can converge as two procedural norms – Polycentric and Porous Policymaking (PPP) and Ecological Modernisation (EM). PPP underscores porous public–private coalitions for initiating policy. Coordinated decision-making, burden-sharing, subsidiarity, harmonisation and subnational involvement in the EU reflect the norm. EM highlights the compatibility between the economy and ecological construction. Environmental damage is an institutionalised problem that is internalised through the principle of polluters pay, allstate and all-sector participation, an emissions trading mechanism, technology and renewables. Interviews, participatory observations and document analysis confirm that the EU delivers both norms to China through the mechanisms of procedural expansion, informational diffusion, physical assistance, cultural filter and socialisation. By designing joint dialogue and local programmes, the EU creates opportunities for being visible and facilitating norm internalisation. Essential concepts included in PPP, such as reaching out to subnational authorities, inviting private actors and organising public–private partnerships are exported. Its actions in teaching the ETS concept, cooperating in technology and introducing European standards, represent the delivery of EM. Consequently, China adapts PPP but modifies EM. It realises that public authorities have limited capability; project-focused coordination with private actors is a tactic to improve policy quality, put-into-effect execution and sectoral capacity. Regarding EM, concepts including national ETS, green intelligent production, recycling economy and demonstration pilots can all be traced back to European ideologies but with Chinese interpretations and needs. China accommodates EM to fit in with domestic development and reorganise administration–society relationship and industrial structures.