Dynamic linkages between China’s OFDI, transport, and green economic growth: Empirical evidence from the B&R countries

China’s outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) provides a window of opportunity for the Belt and Road (B&R) countries to solve their transportation challenges and achieve green economic growth. This study examines the causal relationship between China’s OFDI, transport, and green economic growth in 63 B&R countries from 2005 to 2019 using system GMM estimators. The empirical results indicate that there is a multifarious relationship between these factors. China’s OFDI can effectively facilitate the transport infrastructure construction of host countries, which will spur green economic growth. Moreover, the B&R countries with transport and green economic growth gap are more likely to contribute to China’s OFDI “attractiveness.” These conclusions provide a policy basis for the B&R countries to attract China’s OFDI, develop adequate transportation infrastructure, and enhance sustainable green economic growth.