In one generation, China has taken Africa by storm, going all in on everything from big infrastructure projects, mining and agriculture to the sale of medicine and clothing. At a time when superpower tensions are spiking, the accusations of corruption of African elites and unscrupulous deals that catch nations on the continent in a debt trap are somehow ringing louder. Beijing's defenders counter that despite the debt relief of two decades ago, former colonial powers like France, Britain and Portugal are hardly in any position to criticise. Of course, the truth is more nuanced.
FRANCE 24 went to Zambia to meet some of the one million-plus Chinese who've left their homes to make a new life on the other side of the world. We hear from them and from locals who are in two minds as to what many describe as a whole new world order in that resource-rich former British colony.
>> Click to watch the short version of our documentary "Zambia: Under Chinese influence"
Produced by Charles Wente, Juliette Laurain and Imen Mellaz.
