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loss of it (King and Myers, 1977: 9),
Based on the above reasoning and the evidence provided by previous studies, there are grounds to hypothesize, at least, the existence and the working of face at national level. At this level, face can be seen as being bounded by the nation's status, political or economic; her performances in these areas; and her moral conduct in terms of a just nation. The net face of a nation will then be reflected in the reactions of other relevant nations in an international event.
If a nation concerns herself with her face, she would be concerned with the honour, influence and deference that would likely be at her disposal. To obtain these attributes, she would endeavour to elevate her status, to improve her role performance and to better her virtues as a just and morally bound nation. By doing so, she would be honoured, she could have the power, though not authority, to influence and threaten other nations. With these, she could then hope to be treated with face. To the extent that nations are willing to perpetuate their relationships, this expectation would probably materialize and thereby face is exchanged and the amount of face is re-determined.
Some years ago, South Africa had membership in many international organizations and she was treated equally by other nations. But today her apartheid policy is under severe attack. Her athletes cannot participate in any events sanctioned by many international sports federations. Her "moral behaviour" now under a more open set of moral standards becomes vicious and thereby denounced. She, as a nation, and her people, mainly the whites, are not given face. Her status in the family of nations sinks to the lower rungs, regardless of her good performance in economic activities. She is not given face in international events and she is gradually being expelled from any organizations and treaties.*
On the other hand, when China was not a member in the International Olympic Committee, her people could not participate in events sanctioned by the IOC, even though they could at times participate through invitations or waiving of terms. The records her athletes set might not be taken as official records. Later, beginning from the ping-pong diplomacy in the early 1970s, China showed her might in sports. Alongside with this was her growing strategic importance in Asia, the display of her strength in military ventures along her borders, and the Communist's consolidation* written in 1992 [editor]