8 July 2010 | Paul Snell
Storyville: When China Met Africa
BBC4
21 June, 10pm
2 out of 5
Is China, as its president said in 2006, really a “reliable partner and a good brother of Africa”?
This documentary took us to Zambia, whose trading relationship with China is estimated to be worth $810 million (£536 million), to look at how it is influenced by China.
The programme focused on two Chinese executives: former office worker Liu Changming, who moved with his family to Zambia in 2001 to set up the Tian Xiang farm; and Li Juango, sent to Zambia by his employer to supervise the construction of a new road in Luapula province.
Liu was driven by the zeal to create something he could leave behind for his descendents. Li admitted being away from his family was difficult, but duty to his company pushed him on.
But what was difficult to ignore was the utter contempt each side appeared to have for the other. The Zambians felt they were poorly treated. “They don’t respect us,” said one road builder. “They don’t respect us Zambians as equals,” added his colleague.
And when Liu gave the workers clearing his land only half their pay – and they complained – he ranted about his investment, saying they should be grateful for the work.
The film also followed Zambian trade minister Felix Mutati on a mission to China to drum up investment. He wanted to convince the Chinese there was more to his country than land and resources, but was met with a stony look from a Chinese CEO when he mentioned tourism and real estate opportunities.
The motives for Chinese investment in Zambia were not really addressed (if they had been, this review might have warranted more stars), but both sides seem most unhappy about the loveless marriage into which they have entered.
* Paul Snell is senior features writer at Supply Management
