If you sign a contract with clearly unfavorable terms, you lose face. If a Chinese person signs a contract with clearly unfavorable terms, he or she loses face.

If a Chinese person deceives you, you lose face. If he or she is unable to deceive you, he or she loses face.

If a Chinese person accepts their mistake, they lose face. If you point out a Chinese’s mistake to them, they lose face.

This is why your Chinese partner will never tell you they have come across some problems or issues, or that they have made a mistake. They are more likely to make up excuses, or blame you or anyone else but themselves. A Chinese person would rather die than admit they were wrong.