•Investigate the relationship between ESG ratings and stock price crash risk.•Statistically and economically significant negative relationship for Chinese firms.•Results consistent with agency-theory based explanations. While several studies evidence that firm social responsibility lowers stock crash risk, few investigate this for China. Further, few studies investigate the aggregate role of environmental, social, and corporate governance responsibilities, rather than just social responsibility alone. Additionally, unlike previous studies, we consider both stakeholder and agency explanations. We investigate the relationships between environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) ratings and stock price crash risk, finding a statistically and economically significant negative relationship for Chinese firms. Results are consistent with agency-theory based explanations. Results will be of interest to scholars interested in the general impact of promotion of public goods on firm performance, as well as to researchers and investors interested in the Chinese institutional environment.