Rose Lin Zamoa moved here six years ago to work as a fashion model and start a catering business. She says China was a shock from her native Ghana. “I felt almost like an alien, if you know what I mean,” Zamoa said.

She says she is treated differently because of her race, but the questions she faces on a daily basis are more from curiosity than judgment.

“The kind of racism I experience here is completely different to the racism you would probably experience in America or in London, for example. And, by far, I prefer the kind of racism I get here in China because it’s kind of cute, in a way,” Zamoa said.

Many immigrants have more serious concerns with their treatment in China, where they complain they are routinely scrutinized by police. Their physical appearance makes them stand out, but Professor Bodomo says Africans are treated worse than other foreigners.

“This is a fact. You can see it for yourself. I have experienced it for myself. Africans in Guangzhou, on the streets of Guangzhou, are often stopped more than any other group of people in the world,” Bodomo said.

Despite the challenges, Rose says that, for her, Beijing now feels like home. She is able to bond with her Chinese friends and customers because of a shared passion -- food.

“The Chinese culture and the European culture is completely different. It’s very close to African culture. Very,” she said.