Neeraj Punhani (middle) helps mediate a business dispute in Keqiao district, Shaoxing. [Photo/shaoxing.com.cn]

In Keqiao district of Shaoxing, a group of foreign mediators is helping resolve cross-border conflicts with a success that highlights the adaptability of the "Fengqiao model".

Fengqiao model, so named after a town in Shaoxing's Zhuji city during the 1960s, has been adopted nationwide for promoting the resolution of disputes by locals at the community level.

Among the foreign mediators is Neeraj Punhani, an Indian entrepreneur fluent in multiple languages and deeply knowledgeable about trade. He is one of six mediators recruited since 2018 to handle disputes in a district home to over 5,000 foreign residents, many of whom work in the textile industry.

By enlisting expats like Punhani, local authorities ensure disputes are resolved efficiently and equitably. These mediators help translate not only languages but also cultural expectations, creating common ground for resolution.

Neeraj Punhani is hired as a foreign mediator in Keqiao district in May 2021. [Photo/shaoxing.com.cn]

Since the program's launch, the mediators have helped settle more than 500 disputes, alleviating the workload on local police and preventing minor disagreements from escalating into larger conflicts.

Keqiao's foreign mediator program is more than a practical solution — it is a symbol of Shaoxing's openness and inclusiveness.

The success of the program also aids in promoting the Fengqiao model internationally, presenting it as an example of how community-driven governance can resolve conflicts efficiently and sustainably.