The Way follows nature.
This idea first appeared in the Classic of the Way and Virtue. Dao, or the Way creates and nurtures everything, yet it does not command anything, but follows and accommodates the natural conditions of all things. This is the Daoist interpretation of the common feature of the entire universe: All things between heaven and earth must follow and operate in accordance with their natural conditions.
In political philosophy, the relationship between the Way and natural things implies that between the ruler and the people. The ruler should follow the natural requirements of the Way, place limits on his power, and govern by means of non-interference to allow the people to take their own natural course.
Ideas such as "The Way follows nature" and "harmony between humanity and nature" are the underlying philosophy of the Chinese culture, which embody the Chinese wisdom to pursue coexistence of humanity with nature.
Speaking at the UN Summit on Biodiversity in September 2020, Xi Jinping said: From the traditional Chinese wisdom that the laws of nature govern all things and that man must seek harmony with nature, to the new development philosophy emphasizing innovative, coordinated, green and open development for all, China has always prioritized eco-environmental progress and embedded it in every dimension and phase of its economic and social development. The goal is to seek a kind of modernization that promotes harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature.
道法自然
“道法自然”出自《道德经》。“自然”指事物自主、自在的状态。“道”创造、生养万物，但“道”不会对万物发号施令，而是效法、顺应万物之“自然”。这揭示了整个宇宙的特性，囊括了天地间所有事物的根本属性，即宇宙天地间万事万物均效法或遵循“自然而然”的规律。“道”与万物的关系，在政治哲学中表现为执政者与百姓的关系，执政者应遵循“道”的要求，节制自己的权力，以无为的方式效法、顺应百姓的自然状态。道法自然、天人合一是中华文明内在的生存理念，是谋求人与自然和谐共生的中国智慧。
2020年9月，习近平在联合国生物多样性峰会上的讲话中指出，从道法自然、天人合一的中国传统智慧，到创新、协调、绿色、开放、共享的新发展理念，中国把生态文明建设放在突出地位，融入中国经济社会发展各方面和全过程，努力建设人与自然和谐共生的现代化。
