In the work of exploration geophysics from 1999 to 2001, regional geochemical exploration was carried forward in western China, with resource investigation and evaluation occupying the leading position, while multi-purpose regional geochemical mapping was started in eastern China, with emphasis placed on environmental investigation and evaluation. As a result, a series of important advances and achievements were made, and the development pattern of exploration geochemistry in the new era which lays equal stress on resources and environment was gradually formed. To suit this pattern, this paper puts forward a kind of basic thinking and method in which geochemical evaluation of potential resources and geochemical appraisal of ecological environment play the leading role.