A historic gathering of over fifty African heads of state in Beijing reverberates in Zambia, where the lives of three characters unfold. Mr Liu is one of thousands of Chinese entrepreneurs who have settled across the continent in search of new opportunities. He has just bought his fourth farm and business is booming. In northern Zambia, Mr Li, a project manager for a multinational Chinese company is upgrading Zambia's longest road. Pressure to complete the road on time intensifies when funds from the Zambian government start running out. Meanwhile Zambia's Trade Minister is on route to China to secure millions of dollars of investment. 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.

 
Discussion: China-Africa trade today
The screening will be followed by a discussion with Beyongo Dynamic, a political economist focused on Sino-African trade and investment issues, and currently a PhD scholar at the Australian Centre on China in the World.

This film is part of Asia and the Pacific Screens Season Four: Roots & Routes, sponsored by the Australian Centre on China in the World.

Directed by Marc & Nick Francis
2011, 74 mins, UK
Chinese with English subtitles