Round Table China

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...

Did you know the drink that comforted people in China 5,000 years ago is still soothing souls today? From humble teacups to Hong Kong Stock Exchange debuts, Chinese tea has come a long way. As we raise our cups this International Tea Day, let's dive into how this ancient brew is now powering billion-Yuan brand IPOs. On the show: Heyang, Bob Jones & Yushun

Hey lovebirds and romantics! It's May 20th—China's sweetest unofficial Valentine's Day, '520,' where the numbers literally sound like 'I love you' in Chinese. Whether you're coupled up or flying solo, today we dive into all things about love—from heartfelt romance to live action roleplay (LARP) adventures based on intriguing love-themed scripts! Ready to feel the love? Let's get started! / Peel-ap...

Private gardens in high-rises? China's 'fourth-generation housing' has arrived. With bigger balconies, shared green spaces, and the villa vibes, these new homes are attracting attention, and naturally, selling at a premium. Reflecting China's move toward higher living standards and better home quality, what does this mean for you and where we will live in the future? On the show: Heyang, Jason Smi...

With an estimated 700 million people in China affected by nearsightedness, contact lenses have shifted from mere vision correction to a fashion essential. Eyeglasses are out, today's trendsetters are embracing sleek, comfortable, and even vibrantly colored lenses that blend function with flair. / Is their a best time of day to drink your daily cup of coffee (17:06)? On the show: Heyang, Steve Hath...

Lesson after lesson, you sit in class—eyes open but spirit asleep, as if school is just background noise in a life on pause. Even chasing top grades feels hollow, like running a race without knowing why. In the US, more teens show up to school but mentally check out. In China, a similar apathy is called 'hollow heart disorder'—a spiritual emptiness despite success. So why are teens losing their sp...

In an age of information overload where everything is a click away, museums are redefining themselves—not as static halls of artifacts but as living, breathing spaces where history meets innovation. This year's International Museum Day theme challenges us to ask: In a rapidly changing society, how can museums remain relevant—and even take the lead? On the show: Niu Honglin, Laiming, and Yushan.

Last time, we began a story that blurred the lines between memory and technology, grief and connection. We met Ranran, a young woman trying to reconnect with her late grandmother—and perhaps find peace in the present. Now, the search continues. Who is J? What did Ranran's grandmother really want to say? As we delve deeper, we begin to question how far we should go to complete someone else's story....

Guess what, on top of the usual summer and winter holidays here in China, some kids are getting spring and autumn breaks too! No wonder even some parents want to go back to school again. What do you think? Is it a good idea or a bit too much fun for the kids? On the show: Niu Honglin, Laiming & Yushan

Today's episode is a little different. We're pressing the pause button on our usual hot takes and heated debates to bring you something more intimate, more personal—a story. It's about memory, love, and how far technology might go to reconnect us with the ones we've lost. On the show: Niu Honglin, Laiming & Yushan

Some call themselves digital nomads, others joke that they're digital refugees instead—it all depends on the thickness of your wallet! But hey, if we’re all just glued to our screens working like cyber laborers, why not do it where the living costs are much friendlier? A new wave of remote workers is turning the trend around—heading back to their hometowns. It's cheaper, familiar, and of course, c...

The call of the wild is louder than ever. China's outdoor leisure boom is changing the way we live, spend, and even dress. So, what's driving this desire to escape city life for nature? On the show: Heyang, Yunqi & Fei Fei

This news story is rocking the boat in the academic world where titles have often been valued above effort. A Chinese journal says: when publishing academic research, stop handing your supervisor the first-author spot if they didn't earn it. Is this a long-overdue wake-up call for ethical publishing, or a challenge to entrenched academic practices? / What's the most useless phrase to use in an ema...

Not every trip needs four wheels. In China's smaller cities, two is often just enough—faster and cheaper. We dive into the rise of motorcycle ride-hailing apps, spinning into markets where car-hailing apps are feeling the heat. On the show: Heyang, Li Yi & Yushun

When did buying milk tea for colleagues become a stressful part of the workday? Some employees feel trapped in a cycle of mandatory generosity—regularly paying for drinks just to maintain workplace harmony. We’re digging into how peer pressure builds up in the office, and whether intentional bonding is really worth the stress. / Motivational Monday (16:36)! On the show: Heyang, Yushun & Yushan

China’s nursing workforce is growing faster and becoming better educated than ever before, yet hospital wards remain short-staffed, and many nurses report burnout, low morale, and a desire to leave the field. As we mark the 114th International Nurses Day, is it time to rethink not just how we train nurses—but how we treat them? On the show: Heyang, Yushun & Yushan

It's easy to mistake a warm tone and simplified words as respectful—but when we use the same style with both children and older adults, an important line blurs. In English, this well-meaning but often condescending way of speaking, known as elderspeak, is coming under scrutiny. The problem isn't just what we say—it's how we say it, leaving many seniors feeling infantilized rather than valued. So h...

Food, medicine, groceries, electronics—if it fits on a scooter, it’s fair game in China's high-stakes delivery wars. Tech giants like JD and Alibaba are charging into Meituan and Ele.me's turf, armed with lightning-fast delivery pledges and billion-yuan subsidies. But in this cutthroat, time-sensitive market, where every minute tilts the balance, who has the speed—and the stamina—to come out on to...

Gym memberships that vanish overnight? Salons that disappear with your cash? China's Supreme Court just slammed the door on prepaid scams. Starting May 1, tough new rules ban businesses from ghosting customers or skirting refunds—marking the end of an era for shady operators. / Gen Z ditching traditional pet names (17:18). On the show: Steve Hatherly, Niu Honglin & Ding Heng

Move over, blue and white collars—China's green-collar revolution is here. With over 3.4 million eco-workers and counting, the country is sprinting toward a sustainable future. But what's fueling this boom? From policy shifts to green tech investments, China is cultivating a legion of environmental professionals. On the show: Steve Hatherly, Niu Honglin & Ding Heng

Move over, milk tea—this summer belongs to crisp, tropical coconut water. Gym-goers, office workers, and wellness seekers are all chasing that hydrating glow. But is it truly a health essential, or just another overhyped trend? We crack open the truth behind the craze. / Heart to Heart - please send your audio questions to roundtablepodcast@qq.com (14:01). On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly &...