China has been actively involved in Angola's post-war reconstruction process, covering projects like urbanization and social housing. A flagship 3.5-billion-dollar Kilamba New City project has turned a backward rural area into a modern satellite town of the nation's capital, Luanda. CGTN reporter Meng Qingsheng paid it a visit, and explored how the social housing project was changing people's lives.

It's another weekend family reunion. The Santos couple moved into this apartment five years ago. For the first time, they have a place of their own.

RUI SANTOS KILAMBA RESIDENT, ANGOLA "The conditions where I lived before were not good. It's a rented house, far away from the city. As my income improved, I relocated to this new city built by CITIC Construction. My life has improved with more dignity."

Mrs. Santos showed me inside this 120 square-meter apartment. It's a spacious one for the couple and their three children. The unit has a 24-hour water and power supply, which was hard to imagine during the early stages of Angola's post-war reconstruction.

NADIA SANTOS LUANDA RESIDENT, ANGOLA "I designed everything based on my interests. It matches with the overall design by CITIC Construction. I went to China to buy furniture, and brought back a whole container of things."

Kilamba New City is one of Luanda's six urban districts. It was a sheer wilderness before this massive social housing project started. CITIC Construction, a Chinese civil engineering company, made it all possible.

MENG QINGSHENG LUANDA, ANGOLA "This building complex is one of the world's largest residential sectors. It provides homes for more than 100 thousand locals. When construction work started in 2008, the builders found it difficult to get materials of satisfactory quality at local markets. They had to ship over 2 million tons of materials directly from China, and it took four years to complete the whole project."

Chen Xiaojia, Chairman of CITIC Construction, said, the project has enhanced local job opportunities and improved standards of living.

CHEN XIAOJIA CHAIRMAN, CITIC CONSTRUCTION "This housing project is well-equipped, with a complete range of public facilities. We have built schools, sewage facilities, as well as water and power supply systems. I've learned that people in Luanda feel proud of having an apartment in Kilamba New City. That's also what we are proud of."

For the Santos children, the relocation allowed them to connect with more people in the community.

EDUANE SANTOS LUANDA RESIDENT, ANGOLA "My life here is quite different. It's modern and urban. I've got to know many new friends here. Before that, I usually played alone."

The Santos family are among thousands of households whose prospects have improved because of this grand project. As the country's post-war reconstruction continues, many believe they have much greater things to look forward to. Meng Qingsheng, CGTN, Luanda, Angola.