Round Table China

Scooters, bikes, cars, and subways are urban travel staples, but e-scooters are facing bans in some cities. Why the backlash against these eco-friendly rides? On the show: Heyang, Li Yi & Steve Hatherly

A number of Chinese cities have launched short-term job centers to help gig workers find their next job. What's new about these centers as opposed to previously existing services? How big is the gig economy overall? On the show: Laiming, Steve Hatherly & Yushan

When you go into your hotel room, do you care about the quality of the TV? For that matter, do you even care if there is a TV in the room? China's hotel rooms are in the midst of an upgrade. On the show: Laiming, Steve Hatherly & Yushan

Sky's the limit for modern farming! With China's drone revolution soaring to new heights, how are these buzzing gadgets redefining farming from sky to soil, as we know it? On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushun

Black Myth: Wukong has set the gaming world on fire. Breaking platform records with over 2 million simultaneous players on its debut, this new AAA video game has everyone talking. What's the magic behind its success? Why is everyone getting their ticket for an epic journey to the West? On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushun

Grocery shopping for ingredients and getting them cooked for you on the spot - without spending a penny more! Shenzhen's fresh produce markets are redefining convenience and setting a new benchmark for food experiences. How do you think this trend will influence other markets and restaurants? / 'You swan, he frog' and other endearing Chinglish quirks (20:55). On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly &a...

For young Chinese academics, the path to tenure is a high-stakes race against the clock. With a fiercely competitive tenure system demanding what's called 'up or out', coupled with recent cuts to permanent teaching positions, the stability of academic careers is under unprecedented threat. How is pressure like this reshaping the lives and futures of emerging scholars in China? On the show: Heyang,...

Artificial intelligence, or AI, is being added to various processes across industries, from creative ventures to manufacturing. Health care is no exception, as AI therapy enters the space. Chatbot therapists and AI medical care are gaining popularity. But can they compete with the real thing? How do human doctors view these AI tools? Are they seen as valuable assistants or just a brief distraction...

Chinese Doctors' Day, also known as Medical Workers' Day, falls on Aug 19th. From the significant strides taken in increasing the number of healthcare workers to the ongoing struggle with excessive workloads and insufficient compensation, how can we, as a society, better support our doctors? On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushun

Round Table's Happy Place! / Could concealing a receipt be as damaging as a secret rendezvous? Stealth shopping has a negative impact on relationships. Let's see how financial fibs might stack up against emotional indiscretions in today's relationships (10:53). On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Ding Heng

Forget the classic roller coasters and mascots, Chinese theme parks are now celebrating traditional culture with impressive new twists. With fireworks, folklore, and Hanfu costumes, what makes these parks stand out in the crowded entertainment market? How do these new parks measure up against their international counterparts? On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Ding Heng

Have you ever dreamed of breezing through an airport without needing to show a single document? Well, that dream might be closer to realization than you think. Round Table invites you to observe the global race to create a 100% document-free airport. With cool new tech like facial recognition and AI, airports are getting ready to say goodbye to paper and plastic. Let's chat about what this could m...

Imagine a group of young people who gather by a river to pick up trash and learn about the ecosystem that thrives there. These aren't just ordinary summer activities; they are part of a growing movement of youth-driven ecological preservation. How are young people in China and around the world stepping up to protect our planet? From participating in clean-up efforts to leading educational initiati...

A generation of people have grown up in the age of smartphones, yet some consumers still search up and down for a good old dumbphone with stripped down capabilities. Let's look at a report on the market for feature phones. / Why is there always room for dessert even when we are full (19:24)? On the show: Laiming, Li Yi & Steve Hatherly

The US antitrust and consumer protection watchdog has recently launched a probe into what it calls "surveillance pricing." More specifically, they seek information on the use of artificial intelligence in setting different prices to the same product for different consumers. Is it similar to what Chinese people had experienced and what Chinese legislators have tried to combat? On the show: Laiming,...

Heart to Heart - please send your audio questions to ezfmroundtable@foxmail.com! /The Beijing-Shanghai high-speed trains aren't just traveling between China's biggest cosmopolitans at top speed of 350 km/h, they also serve as important workspaces as busy workers are transforming travel time into productive office hours. What's driving this shift to mobile workspaces on rails (14:20)? On the show:...

With automation stepping in for everything from cooking to serving, the food industry is evolving rapidly. How will this technological shift affect restaurant operations, food factories, customer interactions and job opportunities in the coming years? On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushun

Europe has seen an increase in anti-tourism sentiment this summer, with demonstrations occurring in popular destinations like Barcelona, Venice, and now Mallorca. This growing backlash against tourism highlights the need for a more nuanced approach to destination management. What can be done to address the concerns of local communities while still promoting economic benefits from tourism? / Motiva...

With summer vacation in full swing, kids have relaxed into a season of fun, but there can also be unexpected stressors. Families can play a vital role in nurturing their children's mental health during this precious time off. So, what can you do to ensure that our young ones not only enjoy their break, but also thrive emotionally? On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushan

What better day than this to talk about these "Olympic moments" we all face in life? Whether it's a job interview, a big exam, or speaking in front of a crowd, we all have those high-pressure moments where nervousness creeps in. But how do you handle it? Just like athletes on the Paris Olympics stage, there's a way to turn that nervous energy into a winning performance. We discuss strategies to ke...

August 10 marks this year's Qixi Festival, also known as Chinese Valentine's Day. We'll zero in on how Gen Z is navigating the world of love and marriage. Let's uncover the social and psychological factors driving their relationship preferences & what it means for love in the digital age. On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushun

For today's young people or digital natives, social media is everywhere. New York just rolled out tough new laws to keep kids safe online, including curbing addictive feeds, safeguarding data, and enforcing a digital bedtime. China, on the other hand, pioneered these protections in 2021, with strict regulations. What impact will these measures have on the next generation's online habits? On the sh...

This August 8th, China celebrates its 16th "National Fitness Day," and the excitement surrounding it is off the charts, as it coincides with the thrilling Paris 2024 Olympics! As the Olympic spirit ignites enthusiasm nationwide, how will this unique blend of local celebration and global competition inspire us to embrace a healthier lifestyle? Let's dive in and see how we can all get involved! On t...

The launch of the country's first marriage-related undergraduate major has made headlines in China. This program is designed to address modern challenges in relationships and family dynamics. Let's look into the necessity, curriculum, and potential impact of this major on students and society. / If someone tells you that you can win any argument with three simple words, can you take a guess what t...

"Work Online, Travel the World and Live the Dream." Sounds too good to be true? Well, that's the life stories of the digital nomads! As more people embrace remote work, rural areas are seeing a resurgence in economic and cultural vibrancy. What are some new stories that they are writing in the countryside? On the show: Niu Honglin, Li Yi & Ding Heng