Local school children watch a ceremony to mark the arrival of Chinese naval hospital ship Peace Ark into Honiara, capital and largest city of Solomon Islands, on August 19, 2023. Photo: VCG

At the end of July, the port of Antsiranana in Madagascar was bustling with activity. A large white vessel sat at dock - the Chinese navy hospital ship Peace Ark, which was carrying out a medical mission. Local residents could be seen holding the flags of both China and Madagascar and lining up to welcome the ship's arrival.

This scene was featured in the fourth season of the documentary No Poverty Land: The Belt and Road, currently airing on the Hong Kong Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB).

Janis Chan, the TVB host who acts as a guide in the documentary for audiences, shared with the Global Times that the team witnessed the eager anticipation of many locals who were hoping to meet the Chinese doctors aboard the Peace Ark. 

"A lot of people had been sick for a long time, but due to a lack of funds, resources, and medical facilities, they had not received timely treatment. They were so grateful that this ship had traveled so far to bring them the hope of medical care," Chan told the Global Times.

Chan still remembered a local who had been ill for three years but hadn't received medical attention until the Peace Ark arrived. "The local residents who received treatment were deeply thankful, with some of them even in tears," Chan said, reflecting on the moving scenes she witnessed.

Such heartwarming moments ran throughout the filming of the fourth season of No Poverty Land. The first three seasons of the series focused on China's domestic achievements in poverty alleviation, ecological construction, and development in Xizang and Xinjiang. 

This fourth season shifts its lens to an international perspective for the first time, visiting seven countries along the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) - Madagascar, Egypt, Greece, Serbia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kenya - to highlight how the BRI aligns with local realities to improve local livelihoods through infrastructure, technology, and humanitarian efforts.

"Many viewers from Hong Kong already gained insight into our country's domestic progress through the first three seasons. In the fourth season, we want to show them how China's efforts are helping other countries to grow," Chan said, adding, "The feedback from the audience has been overwhelmingly positive, as they can also see China's actions on the international stage through our lens."

In Madagascar, Chinese companies, commissioned by the local government of Toliara, helped expand water sources and build a water supply system, solving the drinking water problem for more than 100,000 residents.

In Serbia, China's Hungary-Serbia Railway BRI project has improved travel conditions along the route and strengthened the connectivity between the two nations. 

In Saudi Arabia, the Chinese company built Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro Line, the country's first light rail, helping millions of pilgrims reach the holy city every year, saving them time and physical effort during their journey.

Moreover, as one of the flagship projects under the BRI framework between China and Greece, the port of Piraeus, once on the brink of bankruptcy, has been revitalized, promoting local economic development. 

In the UAE, China's dredging vessel Tian Kun helped the country build an artificial island offshore.

"Many Hong Kong viewers don't have the opportunity to learn about the advanced technology that China possesses," Chen remarked. "When the captain told me about the vessel's technological breakthroughs, I felt extremely proud."

Filming for this season of No Poverty Land took place between June and August. Chan and her team dealt with an intense filming schedule, traveling across seven countries in two months and overcoming many challenges along the way. 

For example, while filming in Saudi Arabia's Mecca during the pilgrimage season, the team experienced sweltering heat, with temperatures reaching 51.8 C, putting them at risk of heatstroke. In Kenya, one of the crew was suddenly attacked by stray dogs.

"Every year, we treat the filming as if it's our last, putting all our effort into capturing moments that are truly worth remembering," Chan said.

Looking forward, Chan expressed anticipation for future seasons of No Poverty Land, "We hope to continue using our lens to authentically share more touching Chinese sto-ries with audiences."