After centuries of western dominance, the world’s centre of economic and political weight is shifting eastward. In just 30 years, China has risen from long-standing poverty to being the second largest economy in the world – faster than any other country in history. From angry farmers to weary migrant workers, powerful politicians and everyone in between, what China says and does has become of undeniable importance to the entire world.

CHINA RISING is an Al Jazeera’s  four-part series that gives a rare insight into the the country on the move, with history in tow