Well, here's one reason: http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jan/28/business/la-fi-china...

By the OP's admission, they were late with some of their payments, and the Chinese counterparty could conceivably have some kind of a legal case against them. In which case, being in China could open them to getting sued in Chinese courts, which can be a tricky situation for Westerners. Not least because (as in this case), it can get difficult to leave the country once the case is in the courts.

(The linked article describes a case where a businessman was stopped at the airport because of a $250,000 lawsuit that he says he was unaware of. He was only able to leave after his family found the money.)

Well that sure is a good reason not to go there, and also a good reason not to do business with Chinese companies.

I'm guessing Dmitry Sklyarov or David Carruthers might say the same thing about American companies.

No offense but someone willing to steal $50k is not likely to suddenly change their mind because you showed up in person.

I applaud your choice of flight search, Staunch. Thanks!