New TV series explores everyday life in modern China

StarTimes officials explaining the series to journalists in Lagos

A new television series exploring contemporary Chinese society through personal stories is being aired alongside community screenings in selected cities across Nigeria and Kenya.

The series, A Glimpse of China in the New Era 2026, is being broadcast by StarTimes on its ST Zone and ST Novela E channels from 10 October to 15 November. 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 similar events are being held in Nairobi, Mombasa and Nakuru in Kenya.

The programme explores China through the experiences of people who have studied, worked, established businesses and built lives in the country, rather than focusing primarily on government policies or official accounts.

It is divided into two themes: “My Story with China” and “Collaborations and Growth”.

The first features individuals from different countries whose personal and professional experiences have been shaped by their connections with China.

Their stories include a Dutch tulip grower developing new flower varieties in Yancheng, Jiangsu Province; 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 feature an American musician who has spent two decades writing songs about China, a Russian scholar researching Dunhuang’s history, an American martial artist who has made Wudang Mountain his second home, and an Italian traveller retracing Marco Polo’s historic Silk Road journey.

The second theme, “Collaborations and Growth”, examines partnerships between China and other countries, with a focus on business, technology and development.

Among the stories are Zambian beekeepers working with Chinese partners to develop a honey business, as well as 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 working on a Kazakhstan-China wind power project aimed at supporting the transition to renewable energy.

Other subjects covered include agriculture, education, healthcare, culture, digital technology and international development cooperation.

According to StarTimes, discussions at the community screenings in Kenya have focused on the e-commerce story and opportunities for young entrepreneurs, while Nigerian audiences have discussed employment, skills development, digital platforms and clean energy.

Episodes on traditional Chinese medicine, martial arts, music and Dunhuang’s cultural heritage have also prompted conversations about cultural preservation and exchange.

The programme seeks to present a broader picture of contemporary China beyond the infrastructure projects, factories and high-speed trains commonly associated with the country, highlighting everyday experiences, family life, creativity, and environmental sustainability.

Through the television broadcasts and community screenings, StarTimes is providing audiences with opportunities to engage with the stories and exchange views on the experiences, aspirations and development priorities of people in China and Africa.

The series runs until 15 November, with community screenings scheduled in selected cities across Nigeria and Kenya.

Tunde Eludini is a graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Nigeria where he studied International Relations. He is a Senior Correspondent coordinating the sports section for PREMIUM TIMES. Twitter: @tundeyeludini