A cross-regional civil dispute involving a South African national has been successfully resolved through online mediation in Xiangyang, Hubei Province, marking the first foreign-related private lending case concluded in the city's High-Tech Zone.
湖北襄阳高新区通过线上调解，成功办结一起涉南非籍人士的跨区域民间借贷纠纷，也是该区首例外籍民间借贷调解结案案例。
01案情起因｜Five-Year Unpaid Debt
The dispute dates back to January 2021, when the plaintiff, identified as Cai, and the South African defendant were working together in Guangdong.
该案纠纷始于2021年1月，原告蔡先生与南非籍被告曾一同在广东务工。
The defendant borrowed a total of RMB 300,000 from Cai through bank transfers, WeChat and Alipay.
被告通过银行卡、微信、支付宝等多种方式，累计向蔡先生借款30万元。
By April 2026, the defendant had paid RMB 20,700 in interest, but none of the principal had been repaid.
直至2026年4月，被告仅偿还2.07万元利息，30万元本金分文未还，欠款拖欠长达5年。
02办案难点｜Cross-Regional & Foreign-Related
The case presented two challenges: it involved both different regions and a foreign party.
本案存在两大处置难点，兼具跨区域性与涉外属性。
Cai is a permanent resident of Xiangyang, while the defendant has been living in Guangdong, making traditional litigation procedures more complicated and costly.
原告户籍常住湖北襄阳，外籍被告长期居住广东，异地诉讼流程繁琐、时间成本和经济成本极高。
After multiple unsuccessful attempts to negotiate a settlement, Cai applied for mediation through the High-Tech Zone's Comprehensive Governance Center.
双方多次私下协商无果后，蔡先生向襄阳高新区综治中心申请调解。
03调解推进｜Evidence Review & Separate Communication
After accepting the case, the center assigned a professional mediator to handle the dispute.
综治中心受理案件后，指派专业调解员专项跟进此案。
The mediator reviewed the parties' transaction records, transfer receipts, chat history, the defendant's foreign passport and other evidence to establish the facts.
调解员逐一核查双方转账凭证、聊天记录、外籍被告护照等全套证据，完整固定案件事实。
The dispute was then handled through a combination of online mediation and separate communications with the two sides.
案件采用线上调解、分开沟通的方式推进，避免双方直接对峙激化矛盾。
During the mediation, the mediator helped ease the plaintiff's concerns, explained the potential risks of litigation and encouraged both sides to make reasonable compromises.
调解过程中，调解员安抚原告情绪、告知诉讼利弊，引导双方理性协商、适度让步。
The mediator also explained relevant provisions of China's Civil Code to the foreign defendant, including the possible consequences of failing to repay the debt, such as property enforcement measures, restrictions on leaving China and penalties related to being listed as a dishonest debtor.
同时，调解员向外籍被告普及《民法典》借贷相关规定，明确逾期欠款的法律后果，包括财产强制执行、限制出境、列入失信被执行人名单等处罚。
04协商结果｜Waived Interest for Full Principal Repayment
Taking the defendant's ability to repay into account, the mediator worked with both sides to revise the installment plan through several rounds of negotiations.
调解员结合被告实际还款能力，多轮协调双方调整还款方案。
In the end, the plaintiff voluntarily waived the interest and liquidated damages in exchange for full repayment of the principal.
最终，原告作出让步，自愿放弃全部剩余利息及违约金，只求收回全部本金。
The mediator then organized a video meeting between the two parties, explained the agreement clause by clause and provided translation assistance to the foreign defendant.
调解员组织双方线上视频会谈，逐条解读调解协议内容，并为外籍当事人提供翻译协助，消除沟通障碍。
The parties used an online smart mediation platform to sign the agreement electronically and applied for judicial confirmation.
双方通过智慧调解平台在线签署电子协议，并同步申请司法确认，保障协议具备法律效力。
05还款方案｜Fixed Monthly Repayment Rules
Under the agreement, the defendant acknowledged an outstanding principal of RMB 300,000 and agreed to repay RMB 10,000 by the 25th of each month from August 2026 through June 2029.
根据协议，被告确认剩余本金30万元，自2026年8月起至2029年6月，每月25日前固定还款1万元。
If any installment is overdue, the plaintiff may apply for compulsory enforcement of the entire remaining balance.
协议明确违约条款：任意一期还款逾期，原告可申请法院强制执行剩余全部欠款。
A follow-up review found that neither party had raised any objections to the agreement.
后续跟进核查显示，双方均认可协议内容，无任何异议。
06案例意义｜Efficient Cross-Border Dispute Resolution
The case demonstrates how online mediation can help overcome geographical and cross-border barriers in foreign-related disputes while reducing the cost of seeking legal remedies and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of both Chinese and foreign parties.
此案充分体现了线上调解的优势，有效打破地域、涉外沟通壁垒，降低当事人维权成本，平等保障中外双方合法权益。
The High-Tech Zone's Peace and Security Office said it will continue to improve its multi-channel dispute resolution mechanisms, strengthen its ability to handle cross-regional and foreign-related disputes, and apply the "Fengqiao Experience" in creating a more law-based business environment.
高新区平安办表示，将持续完善多元纠纷化解机制，提升跨区域、涉外案件处置能力，践行新时代“枫桥经验”，打造法治化营商环境。
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