77
7
In 1965 one villager estimated that holding a feast with from twenty to thirty tables was the custom, and a feast with from eight to ten tables which could cost 200-300 yuan was the minimum number to maintain the reputation of the household and 'prevent others laughing' (Croll, 1981, 122)
This defeat knocked China out of contention for passage to further matches leading to the Finals in Mexico. It also lost China's prestige, or rather, face. Representing the nation's cream, the Chinese team lost to a team representing Hong Kong, a place which she would gain sovereignty over 12 years later. This result is incongruous to a nation of strength, of sovereign rights over a metropolitan area. Feelings of humiliation and embarrassment are thus produced.
Direct mentioning of the concept of face is seen in several of them (People's Daily, May 1985: 21.3 "Beijing Gongren Tiyuchang", 31.4 "Yan Weimin"). Reference to the nation's prestige is made in almost every article on the disturbance in Beijing (People's Daily, May 1985: 22.1 "Beijingshi", 22.1 "Renmin Ribao", 25.4 "Zuo Beijing Gongren", June 1985: 7.3 "Tiybao Fuwu", 7.4 "Beijing Gongren Tiyuchang").
10. It was said that the Chinese media cited the Chinese production of bikes was 10 million whereas that of India was four million. By comparing these two figures, the Chinese media concluded that China was ahead of India (Funadashi, 1985: 223).
There may be other attributes of face, for example, prestige, superior social positions, etc. But they may be seen as related to these three broad attributes and the variable factors. Prestige may be seen in terms of honour and influence. Superior social positions may be viewed as an uplifted status, favourable others' reactions and influence. To make the present review more concise, only these three main attributes are discussed.
12. Among them, the most famous is perhaps the pioneer study by Ralph White on the images of the two superpowers, then perceptions of each other which make up a long list. For details, please refer to White (1965) and Stagner (1967, 34-35).
The word "verbal" throughout this paper would mean 'of, relating, or consisting of words' as in the Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary (1982: 1299). That is to say, verbal contents here would mean contents expressed in words, written and spoken.
14
In the 1986 and 1987 issues of the Zhongguo Xinwen Nianjian, several yearly reports of the Chinese press systems have stated that the media are but mouthpieces of the party, the country and the people (1986: 1-17), and particularly as the mouthpiece of the party and the government (1986: 2). In a discussion paper, this idea is clearly revealed in the title which reads "Newspaper Business Is Party Newspaper Business" (1987: 72-73).
For example, an article in Zhongguo Xinwen Nianjian (1984: 59-62) lists several criteria for good journalists amongst which the first one is ideological background. Another article in the same issue talking about the training of journalists to raise the standards of their work, the first criterion again is the politico-ideological background of the journalists. Second is the cultural or general knowledge of them, then two others are cited (p. 66). An article in the 1985 issue reports the performance of a newspaper after some management reform in which some middle-level cadres have been promoted. But in conclusion, the politico-ideological