Historically, 自然灾害 (zìrán zāihài) have profoundly shaped Chinese civilization and philosophy. For millennia, events like the devastating floods of the Yellow River (黄河) were not just seen as natural phenomena but were deeply tied to the concept of the “Mandate of Heaven” (天命, tiānmìng). A major disaster could be interpreted as a sign that the emperor had lost heaven's favor, potentially justifying a rebellion or a change in dynasty. This contrasts with the modern Western “act of God” legal concept, which primarily serves to separate natural events from human liability. While modern China views disasters through a scientific lens, the historical undertone of maintaining harmony between humanity and nature (天人合一, tiān rén hé yī) persists. The societal response to a 自然灾害 is often a powerful display of collectivism and state power. The massive, coordinated mobilization of resources, volunteers, and the military (like after the 2008 Sichuan Earthquake) is a hallmark of the modern Chinese approach, reflecting a deep-seated cultural value of communal responsibility in the face of widespread hardship.
自然灾害 (zìrán zāihài) is a formal and somewhat technical term.
The connotation is inherently serious and negative, describing events that cause significant damage and potential loss of life.