STORY: Spanish cooking teacher turns dispute mediator in China
DATELINE: July 22, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:05
LOCATION: SANYA, China
CATEGORY: POLITICS/LAWS
 
SHOTLIST:
1. the Second Foreign-Related Civil and Commercial Tribunal of Hainan
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ISIDRO, Foreign mediator at the Second Foreign-Related Civil and Commercial Tribunal of Hainan
3. Isidro working
4. pics of Isidro's recruitment
5. Isidro working
6. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ISIDRO, Foreign mediator at the Second Foreign-Related Civil and Commercial Tribunal of Hainan
7. Isidro working
8. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): ISIDRO, Foreign mediator at the Second Foreign-Related Civil and Commercial Tribunal of Hainan
9. various of Isidro working
10. the Second Foreign-Related Civil and Commercial Tribunal of Hainan
11. various of mediation room
12. SOUNDBITE 4 (English): MA XUETAO, Vice president of the Sanya Intermediate People's Court
 
STORYLINE:
 
SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ISIDRO, Foreign mediator at the Second Foreign-Related Civil and Commercial Tribunal of Hainan
"My name is Isidro de La Cal Patino. Most people call me Isi. I'm from Spain. I have lived in China for 17 years, and 6 years in Sanya. Now, I'm a foreign mediator in Sanya civil court (the Second Foreign-Related Civil and Commercial Tribunal of Hainan)."
 
In 2019, Isidro started working with the tribunal as an international volunteer. Last year, he received official approval to work as a foreign mediator.
 
Up to now, Isidro has participated in over 10 mediation cases, including foreign-related tourism disputes and family disputes.
 
SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ISIDRO, Foreign mediator at the Second Foreign-Related Civil and Commercial Tribunal of Hainan
"My main job here is to do some translation work, and also as a mediator to intermediate between foreigners and the Chinese parties in some cases."
 
Proficient in Spanish, English and Chinese, Isidro also has a deep understanding of local customs and foreign cultures. 
 
These have helped him a lot with the interpretation, consultation and mediation work at the tribunal.
 
SOUNDBITE 3 (English): ISIDRO, Foreign mediator at the Second Foreign-Related Civil and Commercial Tribunal of Hainan
"To have a foreign person here, it might help some people that feel maybe a little bit defenseless by not knowing how the Chinese law works, just being able to express themselves in Spanish or in English. It would make them feel more comfortable (with my assistance), so I think that's a little bit of help through the mediation process for foreigners."
 
In recent years, China's courts and other organizations have forged cooperation to build a large mediation structure to achieve timely and cost-effective resolution of disputes.
 
Courts in many places, such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, have been encouraging and hiring foreign mediators to participate in the mediation of foreign-related civil and commercial cases.
 
SOUNDBITE 4 (English): MA XUETAO, Vice president of the Sanya Intermediate People's Court
"I think this kind of mechanism of inviting foreign mediators, is also showing our judicial confidence, judicial inclusiveness, and judicial openness. It is also a good way to help the court quickly and fairly settle disputes. Most importantly, fairness and justice for everyone."
 
Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Sanya, China.
(XHTV)