Harmony between humanity and nature

This term represents a world outlook and a way of thinking which holds that heaven, earth and humanity are interconnected. 

Mencius believed that through mental reflection, one could gain understanding of human nature and heaven, as mind, human nature and heaven are one.

Lao Zi maintained that "Man patterns himself on the operation of earth; earth patterns itself on the operation of heaven; heaven patterns itself on the operation of the Way; the Way follows nature."

They both emphasized the unity between human society and the natural world: the integration and inherent relationship between heaven, earth and humanity, the fundamental significance of nature to humanity or human affairs, and the human endeavor to pursue life, order and values through interaction with nature. 

The idea of unity of humanity and heaven is an important component of the Chinese culture on harmony, and has unique significance in traditional Chinese culture.

Xi Jinping has talked about the Chinese pursuit of harmony between humanity and nature and China's philosophy on the eco-environment. In his speech at the UN Office at Geneva in January 2017, he said: Humanity coexists with nature, which means that any harm to nature will eventually come back to haunt us. We must maintain harmony between humanity and nature and pursue sustainable development.

天人合一

“天人合一”是一種認為天地人相通的世界觀和思維方式。孟子認為，通過心得反思可以知性、知天，心、性和天之間是統一的；老子主張，“人法地，地法天，天法道，道法自然”。他們都強調人類社會與自然世界之間的協調統一關系，即天地和人之間的整體性和內在聯系，突出了天對于人的根本意義，表現了人在與天的聯系中尋求生命、秩序與價值基礎的努力。“天人合一”理念作為中國“和”文化思想的重要組成部分，在中華優秀傳統文化中具有獨特的內涵與意義。

中共十八大以來，習近平多次談及中華民族“天人合一”的崇高追求和生態智慧。2017年1月，習近平在聯合國日內瓦總部的演講中指出，人與自然共生共存，傷害自然最終將傷及人類。我們應該遵循天人合一、道法自然的理念，尋求永續發展之路。