By examining transformations of Manchu–Chosŏn relations from 1616 to 1643, the author argues that the Manchu regime invoked its new position of the “Central Kingdom” to construct its politico-cultural identity as “Zhongguo” before 1644. After it imposed a “younger brother” relationship on Chosŏn in 1627, the Manchu regime developed a new political discourse regarding Chosŏn, the Ming, and other political entities. In this way, it started claiming centrality in the Chinese world. It also expressed the goal of transforming into Zhongguo and began barbarianizing other countries as a concurrent process of its Sinicization. By further imposing the Zongfan (a.k.a. tributary) relationship on Chosŏn in 1637, the Qing started to replace the Ming's central position in the Chinese world and eliminate its former identity as barbarian. The intensive Qing–Chosŏn communications between 1637 and 1643 strengthened the Qing's identity as Zhongguo and contributed to the rise of the “Chosŏn Model” for Qing China.