Round Table China

Spiky yet delicate, ancient yet trendy—this summer, lychees are everywhere from street markets to craft cocktails. Prices have plunged as harvests surge, but beware: their intoxicating sweetness comes with a cautionary tale. Have you heard of Lychee Disease? / Round Table's Happy Place (21:26)! On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushun

From AI-powered driving lessons to exclusive graduation deals on tech and travel, businesses are racing to capture the attention—and wallets—of a generation stepping into newfound independence. As summer kicks off and post-exam freedom sets in, Gen Z's choices reveal more than just a desire for fun; they signal a generation eager to control their own journey. On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly &a...

Hiring practices have changed—AI is now calling the shots. Lightning-fast candidate sorting? Check. Smarter screening? Absolutely. But behind the efficiency lurks a minefield of ethical dilemmas. We break down the promise, the pitfalls, and the algorithms rewriting the rules. / Lost in translation: Chinese dish names (14:33). On the show: Steve Hatherly, Niu Honglin & Fei Fei

China's kindergartens are embracing hands-on learning, shifting from traditional academics to practical life skills like cooking and teamwork. Parents and educators praise these programs for fostering independence, though some question if they leave enough room for play. Will this growing movement signal a lasting change in early education? On the show: Steve Hatherly, Niu Honglin & Fei Fei

Free the fish, save your soul—or so the saying goes. But well-meaning animal release rituals can devastate local ecosystems when non-native species are introduced. China is now enforcing strict guidelines on fangsheng (traditional Buddhist life-release practices) to balance compassion with conservation. On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve Hatherly & Yunqi

Offshore wind farms. E-bike charging stations. Kindergarten sustainability lessons. In China's pioneering low-carbon cities, these climate solutions are taking root. On National Low-Carbon Day this June 25, communities demonstrate how cutting-edge technology and citizen engagement can work hand-in-hand against climate change. On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve Hatherly & Yunqi

Another missed deadline, another botched project—and somehow, once again, the blame lands at your feet. You didn't cause it. You didn't drop the ball. Yet here you are, the designated scapegoat, while the real offenders vanish into the background. Why should you keep mopping up someone else's mess? / Heart to Heart - please send your audio questions to roundtablepodcast@qq.com (15:41). On the show...

Robotic light shows, assembly-line spectacles, exclusive snacks—China's factory tours are the new theme parks. Dubbed 'Industrial Disneyland,' these visits blend tech, spectacle, and experience. Who needs Mickey when machines are this entertaining? On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushan

Young adventurers are revolutionizing camping with ultra-light gear—and it's changing how we experience the wild. Cutting-edge materials make it possible, but the real transformation is in mindset: trading heavy loads for greater mobility, deeper nature immersion, and minimal environmental impact. When every ounce counts, the wilderness becomes more accessible and rewarding. / Motivational Monday...

This week, China is witnessing a quiet revolution as energy efficiency shifts from simple conservation to reshaping the very foundations of development. The national dialogue has moved beyond basic power savings to fundamentally rethinking how industries operate, cities function and lifestyles evolve. This isn't just about using less - it's about building smarter systems that redefine what's possi...

Contrary to popular belief, research reveals a surprising twist: men may fall in love faster than women. But the heart refuses to follow rules—its timing is messy, deeply personal, and defies easy stereotypes. We unpack what the data really says about who falls harder, sooner… and why. / Round Table's Happy Place (13:44)! On the show: Steve Hatherly, Niu Honglin & Yushun

For the first time, robots can feel the world like we do. Scientists have created a robotic hand with human-like touch across its entire surface—paired with uncanny precision. This isn't just about better machines; it's about redefining how technology interacts with life itself. On the show: Steve Hatherly, Niu Honglin & Yushun

For many Chinese Gen Zers, young, text-first, self-proclaimed introverts, the idea of a silent salon visit is pure bliss. Walk in, lie back, and let a robot do all the scrubbing, rinsing, and massaging. No small talk, no awkward eye contact, just AI and lots of good-smelling bubbles. Will this be the future of haircare, or another a flashy flop? / 'Dry Begging': The Art of Indirect Requests (19:46...

Could the future of electric power lie in your kitchen? For years, lithium has been battery royalty. But now, a humble contender is stepping out of the kitchen and into the spotlight: sodium — the key element in plain old salt. It’s cheap, abundant, and surprisingly powerful. So, is it just a backup plan, or could salt truly reshape the energy world? On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Ding...

Echoism. It's like being a background character in your own life—always muting your desires to amplify others'. It's people-pleasing on expert mode, where you become so good at accommodating others, you forget you're allowed to take up space, too. / Do you have "office chair butt" (14:50)? On the show: Steve Hatherly, Niu Honglin & Yushan

The 27th Shanghai International Film Festival coincides with a major milestone—Chinese cinema's 120th anniversary. From its birth in 1905 to today's global hits, how is SIFF celebrating this legacy? With restored classics, special retrospectives, and a journey through film history. On the show: Steve Hatherly, Niu Honglin & Yushan

If someone asked you how many decisions you make in a day, would you say "a dozen?" Try 35,000. So, what happens when your brain gets overloaded with choices? You become indecisive, cranky, or just plain done. Decision fatigue is the invisible drain that saps your willpower. We explore why our brains sometimes wave the white flag… and how to reclaim control. / Why some grads say 'no thanks' to gra...

How far can a film take you? This week in Shanghai, the answer is: everywhere. The 27th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) is a vibrant celebration of global storytelling, where memory, culture, and imagination collide. With filmmakers from five continents coming together, we're reminded of cinema's unparalleled power—a universal language that transcends borders and speaks directly to the...

Climbing the Great Wall of China is a once-in-a-lifetime experience… unless your knees beg to differ. What if your spirit is willing, but your body's waving a white flag? Enter your new travel ally: the robotic exoskeleton—think Iron Man meets ancient wonder. Are we stepping into the era of "painless tourism", or are we too lazy to walk? / Motivational Monday (17:31)! On the show: Heyang, Steve Ha...

The lights dim, the screen expands, and the world applauds. Welcome to one of the most prestigious cinematic celebrations on the global stage—the 2025 Shanghai International Film Festival. From dazzling premieres to unforgettable moments, let's dive into the highlights of opening day and preview the cinematic magic lighting up Shanghai! On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushan

China's booming 'child brain training' industry promises to unlock kids' potential—but experts question how much is science versus savvy marketing. As companies sell costly cognitive programs to eager parents, neuroscientists warn many claims lack evidence, leaving families to wonder if these tools are beneficial, or just exploiting hopes?/ Round Table's Happy Place (21:56)! On the show: Heyang, S...

You've heard it before: 'There are no good jobs out there.’Yet employers insist: 'We can't find the right people!' This frustrating disconnect? It's called information asymmetry—and it's solvable. Enter the '15-minute employment service circle': a community-powered solution that brings job opportunities literally to your doorstep. By placing employment hubs within a short walk of every neighborhoo...

In Zheng'an County, Guizhou province, a thriving guitar manufacturing industry has emerged, supplying major international brands and providing thousands of jobs. In this episode, we meet the guitar-makers, the musicians, and the dreamers who've transformed an entire region by turning strings into stories.

Guizhou Province has long been known for its rugged landscapes and ethnic diversity, but today, it's making headlines for something else: the red hot chili peppers. Yes, Round Table is still in Guizhou province, and in this episode, we take you to see a city's fiery pepper boom!

What do spicy peppers, handmade guitars, and green cities have in common? Guizhou. In our new on-the-ground mini-series "ChinaHorizons", we invite you to join our trip to Guizhou province. For the first stop, we record our podcast in a traditional Miao people's village cluster to appreciate diversified cultures, intangible cultural heritage items and delicious local cuisines.