The term “zhong guo” first appeared in some historic records of the Zhou Dynasty (c.1100-221B.C.). In the oracle bone inscription, the form of the character “zhong” looks like a flag. At that time, the emperors would call on meetings under a flag and the participants would stand around the flag listening to orders. For this reason, the character also referred to the center. The term “zhong guo” means, first, capital of the state; second, the territory where the Han nationality lived and their state. At that time, the Han nationality mainly lived in the area of the middle reaches of the Yellow River. Since the Han people were surrounded by the minority groups, and their territory also covered the center part with the other 9 regions around. The state of the Han nationality was also called “zhong guo” (the center state). Later, the term “zhong guo” was not just used to refer the Han nationality and the center part of China, but also the regime. Since the mid 19th century, the term “zhong guo” has become a special term referring the whole territory of China. Thus, it is not correct to think that China has always regarded itself as the “central kingdom” of the world.