Round Table China

Russian President Vladimir Putin is in Beijing for a state visit. Trade and education lead the headlines, but what is actually happening on the ground? Round Table's Fei Fei sat down with Pavel Kiparisov of the Russian-Chinese Guild of Commerce to find out what making deals looks like beyond the press releases. On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun

You order food and it crosses the city with no problem. Then it hits the building entrance and just stops. That's the old problem. But a new handoff system is smoothing out that final choke point, and how well it works could reshape delivery in crowded cities. On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan

On weekends in Beijing, a few subway lines are trying something new: letting cyclists bring their bikes onboard. You ride to the station, take the train, and get off right near some of the city's best greenways and cycling trails. No driving, no hassle. Just an easy connection between transit and the outdoors. So how's it working so far? On the show: Steve, Fei Fei and Yushan

May 18 is International Museum Day, and this year's theme is "Museums Uniting a Divided World." It reminds us that across time and place, we share universal bonds: love for family, and the pain of loss. In this segment of China Finds, we're zooming in on a recent exhibition at the National Museum of China, telling a story so personal and powerful, it resonates with people everywhere. On the show:...

For decades, industrialization meant a trade-off: growth versus environmental damage. Today, China is exploring a different path—where development and nature reinforce each other. Known as ecological civilization, this vision is reshaping conservation and urban life. In this episode, we unpack what it means and how it connects to daily life, through a conversation with Wang Zhihe, Director of the...

A major fast food chain is putting artificial intelligence in its employees' ears. Burger King is testing AI-powered headsets that do more than take orders. The devices coach workers on their performance, track inventory, and monitor customer conversations. The technology raises an uncomfortable question about whether this is helpful assistance or employee surveillance. On the show: Niu Honglin, S...

Governments around the world are all trying to answer a key question: How can digital commerce support the real economy — without replacing it? Well, in China, a new set of policy guidelines from several ministries is aiming to do just that. They want to improve global logistics, make better use of AI technology, lower barriers for exporters, and deepen the connection between e-commerce platforms...

Another "super league" is sweeping China's schools: the Class Super League. Sports contests are getting kids off screens and outdoors — but can a football match really teach a child more about failing better than a textbook ever could? / Do pets need 24/7 livestreams (18:17)? On the show: Niu Honglin, Fei Fei & Yushan

Are China and the United States shaping the same AI future, or diverging down different paths? Having worked in both ecosystems, Alex Lamb shares his perspective from Tsinghua University. Together with RoundTable's Yushun, they explore how AI tools and agents are transforming how students learn and code. From data bottlenecks to real-world robots, and a shifting job market, what skills will matter...

We invited young musicians from China and the US to perform "Art Makes Us Better" together. As their melodies met, they shared stories and found a common beat. The music video is out now!

Have you heard of "boyfriend photography"? We spend so much time teaching our partners about angles and lighting that we actually start to believe we've turned them into unpaid content creators. But then comes the moment of truth: snap and the photo is still blurry! So what's the problem here? On the show: Niu Honglin, Fei Fei & Yushun

What do you do when words aren't enough, yet you still long to connect? For a group of students from Yale University, the answer was simple: sing. This March, the Whiffenpoofs set off on a tour across China, using music to bridge cultures and spark unexpected moments of connection. Round Table’s Yushan spoke with three members about their journey, the experiences that stayed with them, and the sto...

Two ways to lose a virtual companion without saying goodbye. One, a software update rewrites their personality. Or the company goes bankrupt and pulls the plug. Users are holding digital funerals, calling themselves widows. These weren't just chatbots. They were "best friends", "mentors" or more. So who really controls your most intimate relationship, you or the company behind your partner? On the...

You didn't press record, but there you are, in someone's livestream, their vlog or their viral clip. No permission asked. No warning given. So when does being in public mean giving up the rights to your own face? On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yangyang

Internships were once a golden ticket, but now they are a financial burden. Students work for free while paying rent in expensive cities, where experience has become a luxury good. So who gets left behind when opportunity itself has a price tag? On the show: Fei Fei, Steve, & Yushan

What do an office worker, ten thousand livestream viewers, and a smart fishing rod have in common? They are all part of fishing's unexpected comeback in China. Only now, the anglers are getting younger and the gear is getting smarter. On the show: Fei Fei, Steve, & Yushan

Forget dusty storefronts. China's oldest brands are now crashing livestreams and racking up billions of views, making the "old-timers" cool again. But beneath the hype lies a brutal scramble for digital talent, a constant battle with the algorithm, and one lingering question about whether the magic survives when heritage chases trends. / Heart to Heart - please send your audio questions to roundta...

The Great Wall has survived centuries of wind and war. Now it also faces a new kind of challenge, not from nature, but from the millions who come to love it. Earlier this year, regulations to protect the Great Wall took effect in Beijing. Smarter technology. Tighter oversight. The question is whether these changes can save it from its own popularity. On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan

Have you ever left a comment about a product online, thinking, "They'll probably never see this"? Well, turns out, sometimes they do and sometimes they actually act on it. From product features to marketing campaigns, brands are paying closer attention than ever. Somewhere along the way, consumers stopped being just buyers and started becoming collaborators. But… do we always love that idea? / Was...

If you were heading to college today, what would you study? Computer science? Finance? Engineering? Now imagine having to choose between things like agricultural robotics, low-altitude economy management, or even brain-computer interfaces. These aren't niche experiments. They're actual majors here in China. And they're part of a bigger shift in how universities are getting students ready for a rap...

Have you heard of "boyfriend photography"? We spend so much time teaching our partners about angles and lighting that we actually start to believe we've turned them into unpaid content creators. But then comes the moment of truth: snap and the photo is still blurry! So what's the problem here? On the show: Niu Honglin, Fei Fei & Yushun

Every year, the May Day holiday gives us a little snapshot — how people travel, how they have fun, and how they spend in vacation mode. In 2026, the data tells us even more! Tourism isn't just about where you go anymore. It's about what you experience. From concerts and sports events to immersive performances, new kinds of cultural consumption are changing the game, reshaping how cities draw in vi...

You've just nailed an interview, and the offer is almost in your inbox. Then HR asks to call your former boss, your colleagues, maybe even your graduate advisor. Suddenly, it doesn't feel like you're just being hired. It feels like you're being investigated. So where's the line between a reasonable background check and an invasion of privacy? And if you say no, are you automatically out of the run...

What do you do when you don't speak the same language but still want to connect? For a group of students from Yale University, the answer was simple: you sing. This March, The Whiffenpoofs acappella choir set out on a tour across China. Round Table's Yushan talked to three members of the team about their journey, the experiences they had, and the stories they want to share.

Fashion shows are easy to picture. The runways of Paris and Milan. The world's most beautiful people in the world's most beautiful clothing. Well, villagers in China have kept the runway, but they've swapped couture for cauliflower. On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan