Round Table China

Juggling two or more tasks simultaneously might seem like an efficient way to accomplish more, but research suggests that our brains aren't as adept at multitasking as we might believe. So, is multitasking a productivity killer in disguise? / Big love for miniseries! China's newfound crush on limited dramas (16:03). On the show: Heyang, Yushan & Steve Hatherly.

As the Paralympic flame is lit in Paris, the athletes are now fully moved in to the Olympic village. Find out what changes have been made to accommodate the athletes to help make the barrier-free facilities such a comfortable place to be.

Tourism facilities in China are now offering alternative thrills for their visitors, and making daunting tourist attractions a little easier to navigate. Do modern conveniences in scenic spots enhance our experiences or dilute the thrill of exploration? / Living with in-laws. Marital bliss or family fiasco (19:21)? On the show: Niu Honglin, Yushan & Steve Hatherly

Blood donation rates are on the rise, which is fantastic news! In 2023, China witnessed a record high with nearly 17 million blood donations made. But why, then, are some hospitals still struggling to meet the demand for blood? How can we improve the situation and literally save lives? On the show: Niu Honglin, Yushan & Steve Hatherly

Is chasing high salaries and cushy perks a fool's errand for true job satisfaction? We dive into why real job satisfaction often defies these conventional metrics, and what you can do to find joy in your work! / Motivational Monday (20:29)! On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushun

Cool down and drink up! Discover why China's young crowd is hooked on healthy herbal waters this summer, and get caught up on other beverage market trends. On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushun

Round Table's Happy Place! / World studies have shown that the happiness of today's youth is worse than previous generations. Young adults are now dealing with more stress and anxiety than ever before. But are social media and digital devices the only culprits (12:25)? On the show: Heyang, Li Yi & Steve Hatherly

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...