Round Table China

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 &...

Heated seats, adaptive cruise—your car has it all… until the subscription ends. Welcome to the age of locked features, where convenience comes with recurring bills. Drivers are realizing: today's 'smart' car might just be a clever way to keep you paying. On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushan

Across North American cafés, workers juggle espresso machines and emotional labor: remembering names, performing cheer, even handwriting pep talks on cups. Some customers cherish the human touch; others wonder—when does 'service with a smile' become unpaid emotional work? The invisible effort of keeping moods light and interactions pleasant often falls disproportionately on service staff. As we re...

Long lines at the Temple of Heaven. Packed rural B&Bs. Sold-out concerts. This year's May Day holiday wasn't just a travel surge, it was an economic phenomenon. From digital upgrades and appliance trade-ins to inbound travel boom, people are spending in ways that defy old patterns. The question isn't just where they're going, but what their wallets reveal about the next chapter of China's econ...

Women in science have shattered barriers and redefined possibility—yet the path forward demands even greater strides. Join Heyang in conversation with Li Tianzhen of DP Technology as they explore the milestones worth celebrating, the systemic challenges still to overcome, and the power of women claiming their space and voice in the tech landscape.

Join Niu Honglin for a captivating conversation with Dr. Lin Li—a renowned Guzheng virtuoso and War Studies scholar from King's College London. Dr. Lin reveals her unique journey of mastering both music and academia, offering powerful insights on how women can redefine success by excelling across disciplines. Discover how passion and intellect converge to create extraordinary impact.

Tune in as Heyang chats with Songqiao Yao, founder and CEO of Wildbound.earth—an innovative, nature-inspired education and sustainability consulting venture based in Beijing. From the icy expanses of Antarctica to the heart of Beijing's sustainable innovation scene, Songqiao blends adventure with purpose in entrepreneurship. Discover how curiosity and courage drive her journey.

Move over, minimalism—there's a new aesthetic taking over Chinese homes, and it's steel cold. Dubbed “Prison-core,” the trend embraces stainless steel everything—walls, shelves, even furniture—channeling stark, industrial vibes straight out of a professional kitchen. Sleek, ultra-modern, and effortlessly low-maintenance, it's a hit with young urbanites. So why are millennials and Gen Z trading war...

From smarter urban design to real-time noise monitoring, the mission is clear: quieter nights, better sleep, and healthier communities. We explore the rise of "quiet communities"—and why your restful sleep may soon depend on them. On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Ding Heng

Ever feel like you're running on fumes, struggling to muster the energy for even the simplest tasks? The increasing prevalence of "low-energy individuals" among young people is a growing concern. We explore the potential causes behind this trend and offer strategies to help you recharge and boost your vitality! Ready to plug in? / Are creatine supplements worth it (20:53)? On the show: Heyang, Ste...

What if your toilet offered more than just basic functionality? Smart toilets can adapt to your individual needs, cleans with precision, and even provides entertainment. In China, a global manufacturing hub, smart toilets are rapidly becoming the norm in public spaces, from shopping malls to hotels. Could this bathroom fixture soon become as essential in our homes as air conditioning? On the show:...

More than 300 guests from 95 countries and regions attended the 4th CMG Forum in Qufu, Shandong province with the aim to strengthen communication and mutual learning, deepen innovation collaboration, and inject new momentum into building an open and inclusive international communication ecosystem. / Is stress inherited (13:22)? On the show: Steve Hatherly, Niu Honglin & Laiming

Major changes are reshaping higher education, and their impact on the future is significant. China recently unveiled a substantial update to its academic offerings, introducing nearly 30 new fields of study - part of a broader initiative to align education with evolving national priorities and emerging opportunities. On the show: Steve Hatherly, Niu Honglin & Laiming

Love can make us do unexpected things, but what happens when it obscures our true selves? A payable service will give you advice on how to snap you out of love and back to reality. Does being lovestruck require a cure, or is this simply a right of romantic passage?/ As the 15th Beijing International Film Festival unfolds its magic, we get a report straight from the red carpet! Our very own reporte...

Perched high above the power lines, it's not just a bird—it's a robotic owl. This guardian of the grid and protector of wildlife represents the powerful synergy of technology and nature, where sparks fly in all the right ways! We’re taking you on a tour of machines lending their digital smarts to help monitor and protect our ecosystems. On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushan

Need a break from the hustle? What if the secret to unwinding wasn't a fancy spa day or a digital detox, but something far simpler: a humble bowl of rice in a tranquil temple? Temple meals are surging as Gen Z's go-to antidote to stress—blending mindfulness, tradition, and nourishment into one soul-soothing ritual. / As content creation and influencer culture explode, gyms are morphing into de fac...

Step into Earth's grand narrative at China's newly crowned UNESCO Global Geoparks, where ancient rock formations and sweeping landscapes whisper tales millions of years in the making. Join us to find out exactly what makes these places so spectacular! On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushan 

Spanking remains a divisive discipline tactic—while some dismiss it as harmless, others condemn it as damaging. Its effectiveness is fiercely debated, with some statistics suggesting that at least some parents are still in support of it. / We recommend one film from the 15th Beijing International Film Festival: On the Beat, a 1995 Chinese film directed by Ying Ning (17:17). On the show: Steve Hath...

April 23rd marks World Book and Copyright Day, and in China, the celebration has gone digital. Bookstores and sellers are embracing the trend, ramping up livestreaming events to connect with readers like never before. On the show: Steve Hatherly, Niu Honglin and Yushun.

Ever agreed to something you didn't want to do—just to avoid disappointing someone? If this sounds familiar, you might be stuck in the people-pleasing trap: always prioritizing others' needs over your own, even when it leaves you exhausted. But why do we keep doing this? And what price do we really pay? / We recommend one film from the 15th Beijing International Film Festival: Se7en, the 1995 crim...

Step into any shopping mall, school, or hospital in China, and you'll find gleaming floors, spotless halls, and perfect order. But behind that immaculate facade are the cleaners—always moving, rarely resting, often without a proper place to pause. As our buildings and cities shine brighter, it's time we shed light on the need for proper rest spaces for cleaning staff. On the show: Heyang, Steve Ha...

We recommend one film from the 15th Beijing International Film Festival. Today we recommend "Better Me, Better You". / Smartphones have become extensions of ourselves—so what happens when schools restrict them? From China's classroom bans (correlated with rising dropout rates) to UK campaigns for smartphone-free childhoods over mental health concerns, educators face an impossible choice: protect s...