Abstract: “I am willing to go without ego to live up to the people's trust”–the value contained herein reflects the Chinese communists' deep understanding of Marxist theory, its critical adaptation, innovative inheritance, and dedicated practice of traditional Chinese culture, especially the Confucian people-centered thinking. As a major component of traditional Chinese culture, Confucianism has produced many outstanding beliefs on self-cultivation and moral integrity as well as on governance, some of which, through creative transformation and development, can meet the requirements of shaping the communists' inner world in the new era. The Confucian genes of “I am willing to go without ego to live up to the people's trust” are embedded in such Confucian concepts as “benevolence,” “people as the foundation of the state,” “sacrificing life for a just cause” and “sages serving the people.” In the new era, this value can be expressed in a number of tenets, including “the Party is built for the public good and for loyal service to the people,” “the country is the people, and the people are the country,” “be dedicated to the Party to serve the country and fulfill my duties” and “My name may not go down in history, but my deeds will.”

Key words: “I am willing to go without ego to live up to the people's trust”, tracing cultural roots, Confucianism, modern narrative