Thought in ancient China was oriented towards the world, or "tianxia", "all under heaven." The world was perceived as one homogenous unity named "great community" ("datong") The Middle Kingdom , dominated by the assumption of its cultural superiority, measured outgroups according to a yardstick by which those who did not follow the "Chinese ways" were considered "barbarians." A Theory of "using the Chinese ways to transform the barbarian" as strongly advocated. It was believed that the barbarian could be culturally assimilated. In the Age of Great Peace, the barbarians would flow in and be transformed: the world would be one.