The study examines the impact of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) performance on corporate resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using data from 2993 Chinese A-share listed companies, the research employs OLS and event study methods to analyze the relationship between ESG and corporate crisis response capabilities. The findings indicate that companies with better ESG performance are more resilient in crises. The mechanisms behind this effect include easing corporate financing constraints and enhancing green innovation capabilities. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that ESG has a stronger impact on small-scale firms, state-owned firms, and highly competitive markets. Additionally, powerful CEOs can mitigate the positive impact of ESG on crisis response. The study also finds that only governance and social performance (S and G items) significantly enhance corporate resilience. The research provides valuable insights for understanding how ESG can help companies effectively respond to public crises and offers policy implications for Chinese firms to improve their crisis management capabilities.The study examines the impact of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) performance on corporate resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using data from 2993 Chinese A-share listed companies, the research employs OLS and event study methods to analyze the relationship between ESG and corporate crisis response capabilities. The findings indicate that companies with better ESG performance are more resilient in crises. The mechanisms behind this effect include easing corporate financing constraints and enhancing green innovation capabilities. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that ESG has a stronger impact on small-scale firms, state-owned firms, and highly competitive markets. Additionally, powerful CEOs can mitigate the positive impact of ESG on crisis response. The study also finds that only governance and social performance (S and G items) significantly enhance corporate resilience. The research provides valuable insights for understanding how ESG can help companies effectively respond to public crises and offers policy implications for Chinese firms to improve their crisis management capabilities.