The differentiation of physical geography and human geography is consistent with the differentiation of science, which is always in progress. Both have their advantages, and both have made contributions to scientific cognition and practical application. However, they also share common interests and means, which can give full play to their advantages and provide unique academic support for understanding and solving numerous social and environmental problems and challenges faced by contemporary human beings.

Inspired by the article co-authored by Christian Kesteloot and Lorenzo Bagnoli, this paper proposes three bases for the integration of physical geography and human geography. First, the ontologies faced by the two academic groups need to be close; second, the two academic groups must embrace each other's methodology; and third, the organization of scientific research operation should be conducive to integration. In order to better demonstrate these three integration bases, this paper considers the case of color control in the central city of Beijing, and analyzes the difference research approaches of physical geographers and human geographers when they face this practical issue in the absence of these three bases, as well as trends in their divergence.

The environment is a common research subject of physical and human geography, serving as a bridge toward the integration of these two sub-disciplines within geography. In order to study the interaction between human and physical geographical processes and the complex earth landscape it generates, incorporating the concept of region and corresponding research methods can be a possible direction to simplify the complexity of the problem. I argue that the division and analysis of regions should be based on geographical processes, emphasizing the discovery of chain reactions within these processes. Although there is a degree of subjectivity in the division of region among geographers, a good regional delineation should uncover more important and objective facts, reveal deeper truths, and therefore gain higher recognition. The unity of physical and human geography is evident in the cognitions and actions that human societies take regarding the interactions between physical and human geographical processes, which the comprehensive study of geography should able to explore, analyze, organize, and interpret.

The 21st century has seen an exponential growth in the number of papers published by Chinese geographers, yet this surge in publication has not corresponded to a commensurate increase in societal impact. The voices of geographers, particularly those of the younger generation, have diminished when confronted with substantial scientific and societal challenges. A pivotal factor contributing to this phenomenon is the academic evaluation system, which places significant emphasis on the quantities of papers and projects. This system significantly impedes cohesive progress in the field of Chinese geography, leading geographers, especially the younger generation, to diverge from the fundamental principles of the discipline. Consequently, there is a gradual neglect of the "comprehensiveness" and "regionality" dimensions that geography traditionally employs to tackle significant issues. To augment the capacity of geography to confront crucial challenges and enhance its standing within both the disciplinary and societal realms, Chinese geography should embark on a trajectory of consolidated development. This includes crucial steps such as strengthening geography education, establishing a leading problem-oriented framework, outlining pathways for integrating physical and human geography, and utilizing initiatives such as the "Top Ten Research Progresses in Chinese Geographical Science" to guide synthesized geographic development.

Major natural and social problems have emerged since the onset of the Anthropocene because of which geography, as a typical interdisciplinary field, has faced unprecedented challenges and opportunities. Given its focus on the complex human-nature relationship, it is necessary to overcome the dualism bias between physical and human geography and prioritize the study of coupling human-nature relationship within the discipline. In the context of Chinese geography, the key and the biggest difficulty of such coupling lies in the methodology used. To solve these major problems, the geographical community should encourage participation in diversified interdisciplinary research and promote the integration of data, technology, and society to bring about a new paradigm of governance science. This shift entails a gradual departure from the prevailing disciplinary evaluation orientation that tends to prioritize physical sciences over social sciences and humanities. Coupling physical and human geography and collaboration between geography and other disciplines are necessary to overcome the common global sustainable development issues.

Geography, as a discipline, is keeping pace with the overall development of scientific systems. The 20th century division between physical and human geography dispelled the integrity and unity of geography, while the division of specialties and the deep development of research topics further eroded the discipline. In anticipation of the synthesis of complexity and earth system science, and new sciences in the 21st century, and against the background of globalization and sustainable development, nature and humanities should be reintegrated in university classrooms. The influence of dualism can disappear invisibly through the standardization of academic language, construction of discipline theories, and transformation of research paradigms. Furthermore, an integrated and systematic concept can execute the arduous and complex task of safeguarding the future of humanity and sustainable development of the earth.

The two branches of physical and human geography have become increasingly prominent in geography. This division is evident in the choice of topics, the selection of publication journals, and the subjects of academic dialogue. Therefore, this relationship between the two branches of geography requires discussion. Maintaining the integration and utility of geography can help highlight its advantages and deal with the comprehensive and global problems faced by humankind. Human-land relations and regional geography emerge as specific approaches to mitigate geographical division, with the geographic information system as a tool to bridge the two branches. The public's demand for geography is met through regional geography and regional geographic books are essential to meet the needs of the public. Focusing on public communication in regional geography writing can contribute to improving the social recognition of the discipline.