Set on the front line of Chinaʼs foray into Africa, it follows the lives of a Chinese farmer, a road builder, and the Zambian trade minister.

When China Met Africa was an international co-production involving BBC Storyville, Arte France, VPRO, the Sundance Institute, CNC and the Media Fund, and produced by Speakit Films and Zeta Productions.

Through the intimate portrayal of these characters, the expanding footprint of a rising global power is laid bare - pointing to a radically different future, not just for Africa, but also for the world.

[9] One of the main difficulties that was raised during the production was the multitude of dialects spoken by people appearing in the film, which made understanding problematic.

[2] It was broadcast on television channels around the world from June 2010,[18] at BBC, VPRO[19] YLE TV1,[20] TSR,[21] ARTE,[22] SVT, NRK and Al Jazeera.