After 30 years of civil war, Angola is a ruined country. Landmines litter the countryside, 47% of the population is aged 14 or under and women outnumber male survivors of the war by 10 to 1.

To rebuild the country the simplicity of the loop is implacable: Beijing lends money to Angola which in turn hires Chinese companies, while in passing skimming money off the top. In exchange Angola promises China 30 % of its crude oil.

Since 2007, Angola has edged out Saudi Arabia as the leading provider of crude oil to China while 70 % of its population lives below the poverty line.