Source: OT-Team(G), 人民法院报
On December 24, 2025, the People's Court Daily reported on a traffic accident liability dispute involving African international students that was successfully mediated by the Baohe District People's Court in Hefei, Anhui Province.
On the afternoon of December 4, 2025, two young African men walked into the litigation service center of the Baohe District People's Court. Speaking limited Chinese and relying on translation software, they repeatedly asked for help, explaining that one of their bank cards could no longer be used. Court staff immediately contacted Judge Lu Kuo.
When Judge Lu arrived, the two men appeared visibly distressed, mixing Chinese, English, and Arabic in an incoherent explanation. Judge Lu guided them to a meeting room and patiently listened to their concerns.
The two men were doctoral students from the Republic of Sudan studying at a university in Hefei. One of them, referred to by the pseudonym Aldup, explained that his bank account had been lawfully frozen by the Baohe District People's Court. He said that Sudan was currently affected by armed conflict, and his wife and two children were living with him in Hefei. His wife was unemployed, and he asked the court to lift the freeze so that his family's basic living needs could be met. As he spoke, the tall, strong-built man became emotional and began to cry.
Judge Lu then learned the background of the case. In June 2025, Aldup was riding a motorcycle when he collided with an electric bicycle ridden by a university student surnamed Xiaobin. Xiaobin suffered facial injuries and underwent surgery in hospital. Traffic police determined that both parties bore equal responsibility. In August, the two sides reached a private settlement: Aldup agreed to compensate Xiaobin 40,000 yuan for medical and related expenses, paying 4,000 yuan on the day of the agreement and the remaining 36,000 yuan in monthly installments of 3,000 yuan, with any outstanding balance to be paid in full upon Aldup's graduation.
However, starting the following month, Aldup stopped making payments, citing various reasons. Left with no alternative, Xiaobin filed a lawsuit with the Baohe District People's Court. Concerned that Aldup might return to his home country after graduation and make enforcement difficult, Xiaobin applied for pre-litigation property preservation, which led to the freezing of Aldup's bank account.
During discussions, Aldup acknowledged the basic facts of the case. He explained that he had been unable to pay due to recent financial pressures and expressed dissatisfaction with Xiaobin's medical treatment plan. Judge Lu asked whether Aldup had insurance coverage related to the accident. Aldup said he had only purchased personal insurance and was unsure whether any additional insurance had been arranged by his embassy or school. Judge Lu then contacted the Sudanese Embassy in China, which confirmed that the compensation could only be borne by Aldup personally. Judge Lu also reached out to Aldup's university and arranged to visit the campus the next day to verify the situation and address the request to unfreeze the account.
The following morning, Judge Lu and a court clerk visited the university. After speaking with faculty members, Judge Lu confirmed that Aldup's account of his circumstances was largely accurate. Judge Lu then spoke seriously with Aldup, emphasizing that agreements reached through mediation must be honored. Integrity, he noted, is not only a legal requirement but also a moral one, and as a doctoral student, Aldup should not allow issues of dishonesty to affect either his academic career or personal life. Judge Lu also pointed out that Xiaobin, as a student, continued to undergo follow-up treatment for facial injuries that could affect his future work and life, and that claims of excessive treatment lacked legal basis.
Judge Lu further explained that while he sympathized with Aldup's financial difficulties and the situation in his home country, studying in China meant abiding by Chinese law. A monthly compensation payment of 3,000 yuan was not excessive. If mediation failed, the court would issue a judgment in accordance with the law, and failure to comply after a judgment took effect could result in enforcement measures such as account freezes and restrictions on high-consumption activities, which would have an even greater impact on Aldup's daily life.
Aldup expressed understanding and gratitude for Judge Lu's patient explanation of the law.
At the same time, Judge Lu contacted Xiaobin and explained that the frozen account represented Aldup's and his family's only source of income. Under the Civil Procedure Law and relevant Supreme People's Court regulations, necessary living expenses must be reserved for the debtor. Xiaobin agreed to negotiate face-to-face.
Xiaobin soon arrived at the court. Under Judge Lu's mediation, the two parties reached a new agreement: under the supervision of the university, Aldup would pay the remaining 36,000 yuan in installments by the end of 2026. Xiaobin agreed to lift the freeze on Aldup's bank account and withdraw the lawsuit.
Judge Lu again cautioned Aldup that any breach of a judicial mediation agreement could lead to compulsory enforcement. Being placed on a list of dishonest judgment debtors could result in restrictions on air travel, high-speed rail travel, and even affect entry and exit from the country, as well as potentially jeopardize his graduation. Aldup stated that he would strictly comply with the agreement and fulfill his obligations. Xiaobin also thanked Judge Lu for resolving the dispute on the spot and effectively settling the conflict.
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