In poor Laos, China has moved entire villages to build rails for a flashy speed train to the capital Vientiane. Laos is also building countless dams on the Mekong and its tributaries with Chinese money, with the aim of becoming the 'battery' of Southeast Asia and thus lifting itself out of poverty. Ruben visits a small fishing community that takes action on the banks of the Mekong in Thailand. Their way of life has now become almost impossible. In Laos, Ruben boards the new train. In a village that was moved for the train, there is still one old couple living in their old house.

Australia is one of the few Western countries that exports more to China than it imports. Politically an ally of the West, but economically tied to China. How free is the wealthy Australia really? Ruben meets veterans and asks them this question. He travels along the west coast, where the lobster industry is being severely impacted by the trade restrictions that have been in place since the coronavirus pandemic. And he speaks with elderly Chinese who reflect on the complicated relationship between the two countries.