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Media firm, StarTimes has unveiled plans of bringing stories of everyday life in contemporary China closer to African audiences through a new television series, A Glimpse of China in the New Era 2026, alongside community screenings scheduled across major cities in Nigeria and Kenya.
The series, which runs from October 10 to November 15, airs on StarTimes’ ST Zone and ST Novela E channels. New episodes premiere during prime time on Saturdays and Sundays, with repeat broadcasts on Sundays and the following Saturdays.
In Nigeria, community screenings are taking place in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, while audiences in Kenya can participate in similar events in Nairobi, Mombasa and Nakuru. The screenings provide opportunities for viewers to watch the stories together and exchange views on the experiences presented.
Rather than focusing on official narratives or policy discussions, A Glimpse of China in the New Era 2026 explores the country through the experiences of people who have studied, worked, built businesses and established lives there.
The series is organised around two themes: “My Story with China” and “Collaborations and Growth.”
The first theme features individuals from different countries whose personal and professional journeys have been shaped by their experiences in China. Their stories include a Dutch tulip grower developing new flower varieties in Yancheng, Jiangsu; a Russian teacher and rare-blood donor whose relationship with China began during her student years; and a Myanmar student studying traditional Chinese medicine in Henan.
Other profiles include an American musician who has spent two decades writing songs about China, a Russian scholar researching Dunhuang, an American martial artist who has made Wudang Mountain his second home, and an Italian traveller retracing Marco Polo’s historic journey along the Silk Road.
The second theme, “Collaborations and Growth,” examines partnerships between China and other countries, highlighting how cooperation is creating opportunities for businesses, communities and individuals.
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Among the stories are Zambian beekeepers working with Chinese partners to develop a honey business, and Kenyan entrepreneurs Stephen and Dela, who are using a Kenya-China e-commerce platform to expand their businesses and take a skincare brand to international markets.
The series also features engineers and local teams involved in a Kazakhstan-China wind power project supporting the transition towards renewable energy.
Across the episodes, viewers encounter stories covering agriculture, education, healthcare, culture, digital technology, renewable energy and international development cooperation. The programme also highlights the experiences and contributions of people from Africa and other regions.
Early reactions at community screenings point to interest in the programme’s practical themes. Kenyan audiences have shown particular interest in the e-commerce story and its message of opportunities for young entrepreneurs. In Nigeria, discussions have centred on employment, skills development, digital platforms and clean energy.
Episodes exploring traditional Chinese medicine, martial arts, music and Dunhuang’s cultural heritage have also generated conversations about cultural preservation and exchange.
Some viewers have noted that the series offers a perspective on China beyond the images of major infrastructure projects, factories and high-speed trains often associated with the country. Through personal accounts, it also explores family life, cultural traditions, creativity and growing attention to environmental sustainability.
By combining television broadcasts with community screenings, StarTimes aims to create opportunities for audiences to engage with these stories and exchange perspectives on the experiences, aspirations and development priorities shared by people in China and Africa.
A Glimpse of China in the New Era 2026 airs on ST Zone and ST Novela E from October 10 to November 15, with community screenings taking place in selected cities across Nigeria and Kenya.
