Refer China: Foreigner's Frozen Account in China Resolved via Court Mediation

A Syrian national in Zhongshan faced a frozen bank account due to a payment dispute. Language barriers heightened his distress. Court staff provided English support and introduced pre-litigation mediation. Through patient negotiation, a compromise was reached: a partial payment led to account unfreezing within three days, astonishing the foreigner with China's judicial efficiency.

Foreigner's Account Frozen in China Over Payment Dispute, Then...

As the new year dawned in Zhongshan, China, an unexpected legal entanglement tested both cultural boundaries and the strength of judicial empathy.

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Sanmman, a Syrian national, found himself in a whirlwind of confusion and distress. Standing in the lobby of Zhongshan Second People's Court, he repeatedly cried out in English: "Account frozen! Help me!" With furrowed brows and restless pacing, his anxiety was evident. The root of his panic? A sudden freeze on his bank account—an action taken by the court as part of a lawsuit filed by a local enterprise over a payment dispute.

The immediate problem was not just legal—it was linguistic. Unable to communicate in Chinese, Sanmman faced a double burden: a frozen financial life and a language barrier that threatened to isolate him completely.

Fortunately, the court staff responded quickly. A duty judge, seeing his distress, used a translation app to understand the situation. Once it became clear that this was a cross-border commercial dispute, the court dispatched an officer fluent in English to assist. Judge Huang Junhui took the lead—not just as a legal professional, but as a calming presence and mediator.

She introduced Sanmman to China's pre-litigation mediation model, a fast-track dispute resolution process designed to reduce costs and time. For someone expecting a prolonged international legal battle, this option felt like a lifeline. Relieved, Sanmman agreed.

Yet the mediation was no easy road.

The dispute involved 800,000 yuan (approx. $110,000), and both parties had their concerns. Sanmman insisted the account be unfrozen first, then proposed paying in installments. The local company, worried about financial risks, refused. Deadlock loomed.

But the judge's patience prevailed. She explained each side's legal rights, helped each party empathize with the other, and kept dialogue open. Eventually, a compromise was reached: Sanmman would make a partial payment of 150,000 yuan immediately, and the plaintiff would then apply to unfreeze the account.

Still, confusion arose again. Sanmman demanded immediate unfreezing and threatened a countersuit, unaware of China's legal timelines. Rather than confront, the judge calmly showed him the legal procedures, detailing the 3-day processing rule. Her respectful tone and clarity turned misunderstanding into acceptance.

Within three days, the case was settled.

"Unbelievable!" Sanmman exclaimed, visibly moved. "I thought it would take months. The efficiency here is incredible!" With the signing of the mediation agreement, both parties reached a mutually acceptable solution, allowing the case to conclude efficiently.

Source: 中山市中级人民法院