Abstract: The “people-oriented” thought is an integral part of China’s fine traditional culture, in which there are core values such as attaching importance to the power of people, the interests and demands of people, people’s support and public opinion, and so on. However, it has the historical limitations of upholding class rule. The Communist Party of China (CPC) practices the “two integrations” (integrations of the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and fine traditional culture), adheres to the basic viewpoint that “the masses are the creators of history”, attaches importance to the historical role of the masses, relies on the people, protects civil rights, and tries every effort to improve people’s livelihood. Thus, it establishes the fundamental purpose of “serving the people wholeheartedly” and makes a new Marxist interpretation of the traditional “people-oriented” thought. While inheriting the rational core values of the “people-oriented” thought, it has realized its innovative development and creative transformation: the traditional thought of “people-orientation” is an expedient tool of the ruling class, yet the fundamental purpose of the CPC is based on the highly unified interests and will of the Party and the people; the “people-oriented” thought depends on the moral self-discipline of the ruling class, yet the implementation of CPC’s fundamental purpose is determined by its class attribute; the “people-oriented” thought is pragmatic as a tool, yet the fundamental purpose of CPC is the truth proved by the new democratic revolution. Comparing the two, the fundamental purpose of CPC is to transcend the thought of “people-orientation”, from a “boat-water” relationship to “fish-water” relationship. Putting the people above all else, practicing the “two integrations”, CPC’s fundamental purpose has got new connotation in the new era, with “serving the people wholeheartedly” at a new height.

Key words: the fundamental purpose of CPC, serving the people wholeheartedly; “people-oriented” thought, creative transformation, innovative development