Bridging Cultures: Foreign Mediators in Yiwu City’s Dispute Resolution
Tens of thousands of people from all over the world travel to Yiwu City in east China’s Zhejiang Province each year, chasing dreams and opportunities. This bustling city has become a melting pot where diverse nationalities, languages, beliefs, and cultures converge.
More than just a trade hub, Yiwu has evolved into a community where foreigners are not only working and living but are deeply woven into the social fabric. A testament to this integration is the People’s Mediation Committee for Foreign-related Disputes in Yiwu City, the first of its kind at the county level in China.
One of the key figures in this initiative is Sushil Kumar Agrawal, a mediator originally from India who has been working with the committee for eight years. Agrawal has been instrumental in helping resolve disputes involving foreigners, leveraging his cultural understanding and mediation skills.
“Mediation is all about win-win, how to make people come to a common point to renegotiate – this is the art of mediation,” Agrawal shared, emphasizing the importance of finding mutually beneficial solutions.
Through his work, Agrawal has gained insights into the characteristics of Chinese governance. He showcased how the involvement of foreigners in mediation processes promotes harmony and understanding in Yiwu’s international community.
The mediation committee’s approach reflects China’s efforts to embrace globalization while maintaining social cohesion. Foreign mediators like Agrawal play a crucial role in bridging cultural gaps and fostering a collaborative environment for both locals and international residents.
Reference(s):
We Talk: Governance in China through the eyes of a 'foreign mediator'
cgtn.com
