Round Table China

In Jiangsu's Football City League (Su Chao), it's not about stardom—it's about community. Students, shopkeepers, and everyday heroes battle on the pitch, drawing roaring crowds and boosting local tourism. This is grassroots football at its best: raw, passionate, and uniting entire cities. When local pride takes center stage, everyone wins. / Motivational Monday (18:56)! On the show: Heyang, Steve...

It's that time of year again—cities grow quieter, families hold their breath, and more than 13 million students pour their hearts into the gaokao, China's national college entrance exam. As one of the most pivotal milestones in a student's life, the gaokao shapes futures and opens doors. So, what's different this year? From key exam reforms to 29 brand-new college programs, there's plenty to keep...

Who knew two wheels could be this cool? The cycling scene in today's China is fierce, fashionable, and full of flex. Whether it's a high-performance bike built for both speed and swagger, or a neon-colored shared bike that gets the job done, the humble bicycle has officially leveled up. Get ready — we're spinning into a story where cool rides meet hot trends. / What's in a name (17:00)? On the sho...

On this Environment Day, China sets sail on an inspiring journey—to restore rivers and lakes from shore to source. What does it take to bring vitality back in a river? And how can the public ride the current of this transformation? On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Gao Junya

Have you ever wondered why quirky plush toys like Labubu and Jellycat have taken the world by storm—especially among adults? These aren't just nostalgic childhood trinkets; they've evolved into coveted collectibles, stylish companions, and even cultural icons. So what's the secret behind their "ugly-cute" charm? / Plant identification apps! Your new nature guide (19:57)? On the show: Heyang, Steve...

We sleep with it, eat with it, panic if it goes missing for even five minutes. Let's face it—our smartphones are practically family. But the moment a shiny new model arrives? The old one gets ghosted, tossed in a drawer to gather dust. Love at first swipe, forgotten at first upgrade. So why is it so hard to recycle our old friend? On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushun

That 'low-fat' meal seemed like a smart choice—clean, green, guilt-free. So why are your jeans tighter? Behind the wholesome packaging lies a harsh truth: Are these 'diet' dishes helping you slim down or selling empty promises? Let's rip off the marketing hype and see what's really inside! / Machine vs. air drying: Why do most Chinese people choose the latter (17:12)? On the show: Heyang, Steve Ha...

In China's cutthroat e-commerce battleground, every 'Add to Cart' triggers a cascade of costs—layered, opaque, and ever-changing. But who ultimately pays the price? We unravel the hidden world of platform fees and decode what China's draft regulations mean for merchants, marketplaces, and the millions of shoppers caught in the crossfire. On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushun

Your boss isn't a fire-breathing dragon, but neither is he or she an all-knowing saint. Managing up is a strategic approach to understanding your manager's goals and communication style, enabling you to align your efforts and drive better business outcomes together. We discuss how exactly you would go about it. / No need to shower every day (14:35)? On the show: Heyang, Bob Jones & Yushun

Is a gap year simply taking a break from work? Think again. In China, taking time off can set off alarm bells with HR and turn a 'break' into a barrier. The good news? Knowing the challenges means you can prepare and come back stronger. We discuss how to navigate the gap year stigma, and how to reframe that time off not as a red flag, but as a unique edge in your career story. On the show: Heyang,...

More than just play, theater unlocks confidence, empathy, and self-expression—gifts that shape young hearts and minds far beyond the stage. As International Children's Day approaches, we spotlight how drama education across China isn't just inspiring bigger dreams, but nurturing deeper thinkers, collaborators, and storytellers of tomorrow. / The best way to rest (20:11). On the show: Heyang, Steve...

Zongzi are steaming on the table, dragon boats are slicing through the water, and this long weekend just hits different—Duanwu Festival meets Children's Day! Some are jetting off for quick getaways, while others are leaning into the art of the staycation. We discuss the traditions we love and the trends shaping the season! On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushun

Long considered a slow-paced game for older generations, snooker is shaking off its dusty image—thanks to stars like China's Zhao Xintong, whose electrifying victory at the 2025 World Snooker Championship has redefined the sport. With his rapid-fire breaks and charismatic flair, the 28-year-old isn't just winning titles; he's drawing a new, younger audience to the green baize. / Rethinking escalat...

The number of ATMs in China has collapsed to just 800,000, a 25% drop in five years, as mobile payments dominate daily life. While urbanites enjoy frictionless transactions, the decline of cash infrastructure threatens to exclude older and rural populations who rely on physical currency. Is China's financial future leaving vulnerable groups in the past? On the show: Steve Hatherly, Niu Honglin &am...

Picture this: It's 2 PM on a Friday, and instead of staring at the clock, you're already free—heading home, meeting friends, or simply enjoying an early start to the weekend. Sound like a dream? For some in China, it's becoming reality. Several cities are now piloting a 2.5-day weekend, testing whether this bold shift could redefine work-life balance nationwide. Will it catch on? The experiment is...

As China continues to prioritize education and family welfare, the idea of universal free preschool is gaining momentum. Could this be the next step in ensuring equal opportunities for every child? Supporters argue that early childhood education lays the foundation for lifelong success, while critics question funding and scalability. Should high-quality preschool be a right, not a privilege, for a...

Imagine designing your own commute. In Shanghai, a crowd-sourced platform now allows riders to propose and vote on new bus routes. With sufficient demand, your dream bus line could be operational in as little as three days! Could this innovation fundamentally reshape our approach to public transportation? / Our childhood “a bei bei” holds psychological power (17:05). On the show: Heyang, Steve Hat...

China's credit blacklist system serves as a legal safety net targeting willful defaulters—those who can repay but refuse. But does it strike the right balance? The core challenge lies in enforcing repayment obligations without overreach: how to ensure accountability while still safeguarding the chance for redemption? On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushan.

While the world went big, a few phone developers kept things small—and now the tide might be turning. Slim, sleek, and surprisingly powerful, these small screen phones are winning fans who miss one-handed texting and non-bulky pockets. Is retro cool making a long-term return? / Motivational Monday (18:40)! On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushun

Guess who are heading back to school? Retirees aged 55 and above, well endowed with time and curiosity. From China to the US, seniors are stepping back into the classroom. So, what are they really looking for from this second round of education? And what does it say about how we should reimagine our golden years? On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushun

We often talk about careers, hustle, and performance. But here's a question we don't ask enough: What does work cost your body? Your sleep? Your peace of mind? Join Round Table today to explore what happens when work begins to hurt and how a major policy update might help. / Round Table's Happy Place (16:57)! On the show: Niu Honglin, Laiming & Yushan

For years, China's consumer power was synonymous with big cities like Shanghai and Beijing. But the new frontier is elsewhere. In 2025, smaller cities are growing faster, spending more, and attracting global brands. Could China's economic engine increasingly be running on small-city horsepower? On the show: Niu Honglin, Laiming & Yushan

"Conscious unbossing" is emerging as the new career mantra for Gen Z in both America and China. It defies conventional career wisdom where young employees are actively shying away from promotions. What's behind this shift in mindset? Join us to explore the values driving this change. / Internet earworms! The meme-ification of music (17:52). On the show: Heyang, Josh Cotterill & Yushun

In today's fast-changing job market, should universities be extending programs or speeding them up instead? With more programs lengthening in China, are we really raising the bar—or just the costs? We discuss who gains from the extra years in school… and who ends up paying the price. On the show: Heyang, Josh Cotterill & Yushun 

What if family wasn't about blood, and elderly care didn’t have to come from strangers? On Chinese social media, posts have surfaced about “认干亲养老”—a practice where young people form supportive, contract-like relationships with older adults. It echoes elements of godparenting and elder companionship in the West, but with key differences. Could this be a way to patch the cracks left by shrinkin...