Round Table China

Western food has often been branded bland, but things are changing quickly. As America's growing obsession with spicy food embraces ghost pepper snacks and habanero laced cocktails, how does this trend compare to the refined, centuries-old fire of Chinese Sichuan and Hunan cuisines? / Heart to Heart - please send your audio questions to roundtablepodcast@qq.com (15:33). On the show: Steve Hatherly, Niu Honglin & Yushun

We seek solace in our screens, only to feel more drained. Why do our escapes amplify the loneliness they're meant to soothe? Is it a failure of discipline, or a cry from something within we've been avoiding? On the show: Steve Hatherly, Niu Honglin & Yushun

Peking University has ended GPA rankings for undergraduates. This is a bold move in a system where grades heavily influence scholarships, graduate school admissions, and sometimes even job opportunities. Will this shift the focus from chasing scores to pursuing knowledge, or will competition simply take a new form? On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushan

Have you ever daydreamed about a completely different career? In today's fast-evolving job market, switching industries is increasingly common. From new graduates discovering their majors are misaligned with demand, to experienced professionals seeking greater purpose or growth, more people are venturing into new fields. The pivotal question remains: how do you determine if such a leap is worthwhile, and what key factors should you weigh before making the switch? On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushan

Instant noodles, once the default travel snack in China, are now disappearing from some high-speed rail stations, deemed too odorous for shared spaces. This shift is part of a larger conflict playing out on public transport, where personal choices like noisy kids or dusty work clothes are forcing a public debate over whose comfort should take priority. / Motivational Monday (24:41)! On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushun

Chinese tool apps, from outfit-swap filters to calorie trackers, have surged to become top downloads worldwide. Their success stretches from the competitive markets of the U.S. and U.K. to the booming digital landscapes of Southeast Asia and Latin America. This global reach, however, presents their greatest challenge: can they master the vastly different tastes and cultural nuances of users from Los Angeles to Jakarta to maintain their dominance? On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushun

An ancient herbal syrup is captivating the global wellness scene, journeying from the apothecaries of Beijing to the shelves of New York. This surge of curiosity represents a broader movement as Traditional Chinese Medicine (or TCM) steps into the international spotlight. On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushun.

Let's teleport you to Xizang Autonomous Region, otherwise known as Tibet, in southwest China, where the air is thin, the winds are fierce, and the land is unforgiving. Farming there has always been a test of human will. Yet a team of farmers from Shandong Province, in the eastern part of the country, crossed mountains and storms to help local villagers build greenhouses on the plateau. On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushun.

Before we call our closest friends, many of us now post online. In an age when social media timelines feel like extensions of ourselves, they have become the place where grief lives, spreads, and is witnessed. This digital impulse is influencing how we process pain together. / Social media live location? Why the backlash? On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushan.

Chinese university students are beginning internships earlier than ever, with some starting as early as their first year. Many are racing to build their resumes in this highly competitive job market. But does this early start truly provide an advantage, or does it merely create more pressure? On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushan.

A breakthrough in AI dubbing promises to make global cinema more accessible than ever. Yet the very artists who give stories their soul are raising urgent concerns. While audiences worldwide may soon enjoy seamlessly dubbed films, the industry must find a path forward that elevates access without erasing the human talent behind the magic./Round Table's Heart to Heart (15:52). On the show: Steve Hatherly, Niu Honglin & Yushun.

Cities are breathing new life into their core by investing in culture, not just concrete. This movement is transforming mundane public spaces into vibrant, art-filled hubs that sometimes operate around the clock. These creative environments are fundamentally changing how residents connect with their city and each other, fostering a stronger sense of community. This significant cultural shift promises to make urban living more engaging, accessible, and profoundly interconnected for everyone. On the show: Steve Hatherly, Niu Honglin & Yushun.

If you think bras are merely about shaping the body for others, think again. In recent years, Chinese women have embraced wire-free, easy-fit designs that prioritize comfort, health, and self-expression. This shift reflects a broader movement where underwear is no longer just about aesthetics, but about how it makes women feel in their own skin. On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushan.

Summer brings sunshine, laughter and freedom for kids! But water safety can't be ignored as drowning remains a top risk for Chinese children. With simple precautions, we can protect our little ones while they make happy memories. We explore how to keep summer both joyful and safe around water. On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushan.

Summer brings screams of joy, laughter echoing through the air, and clouds of cotton candy drifting on the breeze. This is the magic of theme park season. Across China, parks continue evolving their offerings, crafting ever more immersive experiences to draw visitors in. While some focus on cutting edge technology, others lean into nostalgic charm, each carving out their own unique space in the competitive leisure market. / Ok to eat if your food arrives first (10:21)? / Motivational Monday (19:42). On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushan.

This summer, from the cool comfort of air conditioned cinemas to sun soaked outdoor adventures, from immersive eco tourism to thrilling theme park rides, China is alive with endless summer excitement. We uncover the trends redefining this season as a time for joy and new experiences. On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushan.

Move beyond gimmicks. The real ice cream revolution is happening where value meets quality. As consumers rethink indulgence, the market rewards those who master affordability without compromising taste. Who will thrive when customers want luxury for less? / Round Table's Happy Place (16:51)! On the show: Steve Hatherly, Niu Honglin & Yushun

China has staked its claim in the brain-tech revolution. New national guidelines mandate concrete BCI breakthroughs by 2027—faster neural chips, precision signal decoding, and seamless brain-machine fusion. No vague aspirations here—just measurable milestones. We analyze the real forces propelling China's neurotech leap forward. On the show: Steve Hatherly, Niu Honglin & Yushun

The fitness and supplement industries relentlessly push protein, with shakes, bars, and diets promising peak performance. But does this focus align with actual health needs? While protein supports muscle repair and growth, overconsumption may burden the kidneys, crowd out essential nutrients, and lead to unwanted weight gain. We separate fact from marketing fiction to help you determine your ideal protein intake. / Hospital merchandise selling like hot cakes (12:17)! On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Fei Fei

China has a garbage problem, but not the one you might think. Overwhelmed landfills pushed cities to burn trash for energy, yet now some incinerators sit underfed. This unexpected shortage reveals surprising progress in waste reduction and recycling, forcing a rethink of how the nation handles its refuse. On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Fei Fei

From dog-eared paperbacks to immersive audiobooks and cutting-edge VR experiences, we've never had so many ways to 'read.' But as the formats multiply, so do the questions. Does the medium reshape the meaning? Does how we consume stories fundamentally change how we experience them? Or in the end, does the magic remain the same? / Test papers distributed on train to make noisy kids quiet (16:47). On the show: Steve Hatherly, Niu Honglin & Yushun

They're tiny, mischievous, and conquering the globe—one mystery box at a time. These Chinese collectibles aren't just toys; they're a full-blown cultural phenomenon, sparking frenzies so intense, stores had to pull them from shelves. What's fueling this obsession? And why can't collectors resist? On the show: Steve Hatherly, Niu Honglin & Yushun

From synchronized leg sweeps to perfectly timed camera spins, Tuanbo, China's group livestream phenomenon, is taking the digital world by storm. Blending the precision of K-pop choreography with live entertainment, this trend is generating new careers across the industry, from dynamic on-screen performers to behind-the-scenes stylists, lighting technicians, and camera operators. This rapidly expanding format is energizing China's massive livestream economy. / Why is the Gen Z gaze setting off older folks (13:41)? On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushan

Robots tighten screws with flawless accuracy, pour coffee at just the right temperature, and crack jokes that feel unexpectedly human. Some even promise companionship that might ease a heavy heart. At the 2025 World Robot Conference in Beijing, these machines have stepped out of laboratory doors and into our homes, workplaces, and private moments. The debate has shifted: their capabilities are proven, but the intimacy we'll grant them remains an open question. On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushan

Remember the "she-cession" during the pandemic? Now the US risks a "she-exit" as return-to-office mandates collide with a childcare system in crisis. Meanwhile, China's numbers tell their own story. Women's workforce participation dropped after COVID and still hasn't recovered. Two countries, one troubling question. Are we seeing unique challenges, or just the same old barriers dressed up in new ways? / Motivational Monday (20:36)! On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushan

Welcome to the World Games 2025 in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province! This vibrant southwest city, famed for its easygoing charm, is now the global stage for thrilling competition, green innovation, and futuristic tech. From groundbreaking sports to sustainable arenas, Chengdu delivers an unforgettable Games. On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushan

With the digital preservation of the Potala Palace, and the growing popularity of Xizang style carpets, incense and handmade paper among young consumers, Xizang has found ways to keep its timeless culture up-to-date and trendy. In this episode, we explore the part of Xizang where heritage meets creativity.

From smart ranching to vegetable greenhouses, from cold-chain logistics to cross-border trade… We take a look at Xizang's industrial transformation and see how the plateau is leaping into a new era of development.

Heart to Heart - please send your audio questions to roundtablepodcast@qq.com. / As China's family businesses prepare for a new generation to take the helm, successors face a sobering reality: companies grow, stall, or fall. With a shifting business climate, complex political relations, and economic uncertainty ahead, the pressure is on. Are they ready to steer through it all (11:36)? On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushan

AI and pig farming sounds improbable. Yet in China, algorithms now track livestock from birth to market. Voice recognition, thermal scans and facial monitoring turn farms into data hubs. As demand for safe, sustainable meat grows, this technology is not just changing how pigs are raised, it's redefining livestock farming itself. On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushan

Shenzhen is breaking new ground by rolling out a policy which accepts failure as part of the research process, even when state funding is at stake. It pushes back against the old belief that only success matters, opening up space for bold ideas to take root. Could this policy redefine how innovation happens in China? On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Li Yi

Apprenticeships promise skills and opportunity—but in today's economy, where milk tea shops and factories alike rely on trainees, the line between education and exploitation is increasingly blurred. Are these programs building tomorrow's workforce, or just masking cheap labor? We also explore the role of apprenticeships in developing skilled labor. On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Li Yi

Social media gets blamed for teen mental health struggles, but now Australia's crackdown goes further—banning under-16s from major platforms, including the internet's biggest video hub. Is targeting video platforms alongside social media crossing a line? / Motivational Monday (20:02)! On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushan

Raising a child is never easy, and in China, the costs can deter young families. Now, for the first time, the national government is offering monthly subsidies for families with children aged 0 to 3 — a move aimed at easing the financial burden of raising kids. It's a major shift toward a more family-friendly society. But will cash alone ease the stress of parenthood? And can it actually turn the tide on declining birthrates? On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushan

Shanghai holds the global title for the most office space. And yet, vacancy rates are high. So why is one of the world's busiest cities pushing to renovate hundreds of office buildings? From old elevator systems to shifting urban priorities, this move prompts a fresh rethink of what office space means in the post-pandemic world. / Round Table's Happy Place (14:27)! On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Gao Junya

A secret billionaire. A forbidden alpha. A CEO with a dark past. It sounds like tabloid gossip—yet this explosive mix is dominating smartphone screens worldwide. China's ultra-short dramas, packing high-stakes drama into just minutes per episode, have exploded into a billion-dollar global phenomenon. But what makes these fast-paced, bite-sized stories so irresistible? And why are they captivating audiences all around the globe? On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Gao Junya

How to stay safe from Chikungunya fever. / For years, artificial sweeteners promised a guilt-free way to indulge—sweetness without the calories. But what if they've been secretly sabotaging your appetite instead? We uncover the truth behind that seemingly "healthy" sip (07:11). / A brand new car, latest gadget, overseas trip—some Chinese parents are turning the survival of Gaokao into a high-stakes payout. The trend of expensive post-exam rewards is growing, blurring the line between celebration and excess. As the pressure mounts and the gifts get bigger, so does the backlash (16:03). On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushan

What happens when a tech giant takes over your lunch? A leading e-commerce player has just opened its first fully automated takeout restaurant in Beijing—no chefs, no dining space, just robots whipping up fresh, fast meals. Could this be the next revolution in China's food delivery market? On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushan

Heart to Heart - please send your audio questions to roundtablepodcast@qq.com. / We love to say "no question is dumb"—but don't we secretly roll our eyes when someone asks the "obvious? " That knee-jerk impatience even has a name: dumbphobia. But what if it's not just annoyance? What if it's a bias? Let's unpack why "basic" questions trigger us… and why that says more about us than them (12:40). On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Ding Heng

We buy our parents smart speakers, health trackers, and delivery apps—hoping senior tech will simplify their lives. But soon, they stop using them. Not because they've lost interest, but because the tech feels too fast, too small, too alien. As the world grows older, maybe it's time to stop asking them to adapt—and start building tech that adapts to them. On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Ding Heng

Tipping culture - a Western tradition that's long divided opinions - is now being put to the Chinese test. As heated online debates reveal, this imported practice is facing its toughest critics yet in a market accustomed to service-first hospitality. / Posting ennui: going silent in a loud feed (17:28). On the show: Steve Hatherly, Niu Honglin & Yushun

Renting in China's booming cities has faced hurdles—but a major shift is coming. This September, sweeping new rental regulations take effect, impacting tenants, landlords, and the broader market. So what's changing—and how will this reshape the rental landscape? On the show: Steve Hatherly, Niu Honglin & Yushun