African community needs more attention

Patrick started writing stories on his mobile phone about life. When we met at a bar around Sanlitun several weeks ago, he let me read a few. The stories were about what life is like in China for Africans - and often it is not easy.

Since I relocated to Beijing from Shanghai several months ago, I've become friends with many people in the African community here. They live in old apartment buildings around Sanlitun.

A few sleep on the streets. At night, they hang out at sidewalk cafes, smoking cigarettes and drinking Chinese beer. I join them and listen to their stories - stories that need to be told.