Using Spencer-Oatey's (2008) rapport management model, this paper discusses how strong discord among non-familial equal-status English-speaking Chinese at two English Corners in a southeastern Chinese city, was employed to safeguard rights, do facework and obtain interactional aims. Intense discord not engender negative assessment, possibly due to the expression manner of this intense discord, the connection between perception and conduct, the value of face and harmony to the participants, their English skills and pragmatic awareness, and their interactional aims and identity construction.