On 20 May 2025, Zambia’s investigative outlet News Diggers released a trailer for its documentary China: The Good, the Bad and the Dangerous, which highlights environmental and labour concerns tied to Chinese business operations in the country. The following day, the Lusaka High Court blocked the scheduled 23 May release after the Chinese Chamber of Commerce filed a defamation complaint, an act Reporters Without Borders (RSF) alleged as a SLAPP attempt to silence critical reporting. After weeks of delay, the injunction was lifted on 18 July, and the documentary finally aired on 29 July. On 30 July 2025, the Chinese Embassy in Zambia issued a statement criticizing the documentary for bias, accusing the filmmakers of “malicious sensationalization” and urging “balanced, objective” coverage.

The documentary presents several allegations against Chinese companies operating in Zambia, including:

1. Sino Metals: Allegations of water and soil contamination due to a dam accident, with claims of insufficient compensation and aid to affected communities. In an exclusive interview featured in the documentary, the company chairman acknowledged the contamination and insisted that they did everything within their means to prevent the accident and minimize the subsequent damage.
   
2. Avocado Mining Limited: Accused of operating its mine without conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), discharging fumes in the Kolushi district without approval from the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA), and failing to comply with ZEMA's order to cease operations. The documentary includes a telephone interview with a company representative.
   
3. Rongxing Investment Company: Alleged to have spilled acid into the Luella stream and Kafue River, operated without safety regulations leading to worker injuries and fatalities, and reportedly bribed officials to evade accountability. Rongxing Investment was reportedly shut down in March 2025 due to repeated environmental violations.
   
4. Unnamed Chinese Copper Mining Operations in Chingola: Linked to fatal accidents, including the death of miners in a tunnel collapse.