📑 Commercial cases · Awareness case
A Yemeni Trader and an Ice Machine That Did Not Match the Contract — An Arabic-Speaking Yemeni Mediator Helps a Nansha Court Settle It · Yalla China
🤝 Governing law: 民法典 合同编；民事诉讼法 调解 / Civil Code (Contracts); Civil Procedure Law (mediation)
In 2022 a Yemeni trader ordered an ice machine worth over USD 250,000 from a Guangzhou firm, then refused delivery because parts and specifications did not match. The Nansha court used a technical appraisal and an Arabic-speaking Yemeni mediator; the settlement was performed the next day.
Illustrative, general educational examples — not real specific facts and not legal advice; for awareness only. For an actual situation, consult a licensed lawyer.
From the third batch of foreign-related commercial and maritime mediation cases released by the Supreme People's Court on 16 April 2026: in June 2022 Yemeni trader "Ha" ordered a 30-tonne tube ice machine worth over USD 250,000 from a Guangzhou company; the contract named the brands and models of the compressor and valves and the output and energy specs. At inspection he found some parts and parameters did not match, refused delivery and sued to rescind, claiming double return of the deposit, a refund and damages; the company counter-sued for payment and acceptance. The Nansha (Guangdong FTZ) court ordered a judicial technical appraisal with the experts questioned in court, brought in a Yemeni mediator with long trade experience who explained Chinese procedure to the trader in Arabic, and had a Chinese mediator assess the risks of each path. The parties settled voluntarily and the agreement was fully performed the day after signing.
🎓 The lesson / takeaway
Lesson for Arab traders: write exact brands and specifications into the contract and inspect before accepting goods. Guangzhou courts can involve Arabic-speaking mediators, and a judicial technical appraisal settles quality disputes.
🕒 Updated: 16 March 2026