Round Table China

How much of a nature survivalist are you? Extreme reality survival competitions have become more than just shows; they are now a cultural phenomenon, inspiring a generation to trade urban comforts for the challenges of the wilderness. These competitions are catalysts for a widespread movement, one that is actively redefining our ideas of adventure, self-reliance, and our fundamental relationship with the untamed power of nature. / Motivational Monday (21:09)! On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan

China's monumental effort to plant nearly 200 billion trees since the 1970s is now facing a critical test. Scientists have discovered that these vast new forests, a cornerstone of the fight against climate change, are severely impacting water resources. This urgent challenge has spurred the country to lead a global shift toward "water-smart forestry," adapting its strategy for a world where every drop counts. On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan

A universal key. Over a hundred muted screens in Shanghai. A debatable, possibly illegal act that went viral—and exposed a deep, shared frustration: the elevator ads no one asked for and no one can escape. In the shared space of an elevator, who gets the final say? / Round Table's Happy Place (17:17)! On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Yushun

Cities worldwide are drowning in trash. Landfills are full, oceans are clogged with plastic. Many are trying to change, but one effort stands apart in its sheer scale and ambition: China's nationwide push to build“zero-waste cities.”The goal is a system where everything is reused, repurposed, or recovered. On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Yushun

For many Chinese students, winter once meant chilly classrooms and bundled-up uniforms. Now, it brings free ski passes and extra family time. This new wave of "snow holidays" meets a generation's craving for movement, experience, and hands-on learning. As cities roll out offerings from free ski lessons to ice-fishing festivals, we are witnessing an ambitious attempt to transform snow into a genuine opportunity. / Have you stolen some sugarcane (17:58)? On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Fei Fei

In China, a generation raised on digital savvy is rewriting the rules of consumption. Their new status symbol is one of financial intelligence: the pre-owned electric vehicle. Confronting a cooling used-car market and the steep depreciation of new energy vehicles, they see opportunity instead of crisis. They apply a hacker's mindset to mobility, finding luxury in efficiency and status in savvy calculation. On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Fei Fei

What if you could control the camera during a live sports broadcast? Not just choosing a feed, but swooping in for a courtside view or looking down from the rafters? A new streaming tech out of China is making that a reality. It's called "ultimate perspective," and it builds a virtual, 3D model of the game as it happens. The world is watching the innovation that could change how we see sports. / When the weather turns cold, why is it that we want to eat literally anything within our reach (15:04)? On the show: Steve, Yushan & Xingyu

On December 3rd, we mark the International Day of Disabled Persons. China has made remarkable strides in accessibility, with public facilities now widely available. But true progress means moving beyond construction to thoughtful design and everyday usability. How do we transform spaces into places of genuine inclusion? We explore the journey from accessibility on paper to inclusion in practice. On the show: Steve, Yushan & Xingyu

How many times in your life do you retire? The traditional answer—once—is being overturned by a new wave of workers embracing months-long disconnections, or micro-retirements. This trend is a direct response to systemic burnout, prompting a vital debate on the real career risks of trading future security for present sanity. / The music to calm your pet (19:03). On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushun

Sensitive skin is now a widespread reality across China, with a booming care market standing at the intersection of hope and skepticism. As winter settles in, the hidden triggers behind the reactivity, the bold claims on every bottle, and the definitive science behind the persuasive spin all come into focus. On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushun

Artificial intelligence now aids in diagnosing conditions such as depression within China's mental health system. By analyzing vocal patterns and micro-expressions, these technologies offer the potential for enhanced clinical efficiency and early intervention. Yet their arrival invites a deeper reflection on the nature of care itself, challenging us to balance the precision of algorithms with the irreplaceable role of human empathy. / Motivational Monday (20:28)! On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan

Gig work in China is entering a new phase. Leading delivery platforms are building affordable apartments for riders and introducing new welfare benefits. These measures offer the promise of security for millions. But the future of these improvements remains uncertain. The true test will be whether these benefits are a stable foundation or if their cost is quietly moved back onto workers through the platform's systems. On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan

In an era of calendar reminders and digital rewards, our relationship with work is evolving. The very tools designed to boost productivity can leave us feeling less capable of deep, thoughtful work. We are losing our grasp on focused attention, a precious resource in the modern world. It is time to explore what this means for our creativity, our growth, and our ability to do truly meaningful work. On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Laiming

Tune in to #GlobalSouthNextGen: Voices and Visions, and join the conversation with three young scientists from the Global South. One builds open science tools for communities that need them most. One explores the universe through the language of mathematics. One ensures AI applications work for real people speaking different languages and living different lives. Check out their stories

To hear Gen Z talk is to witness a linguistic revolution. The profanity once deemed most vulgar now often passes without comment. However, language that attacks a person's race, gender, or ability is firmly and immediately condemned. This new hierarchy of what makes words offensive speaks volumes about our evolving social values. On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Laiming

In what ways can KOLs better use their power in an age where a single video can reach millions? Tune in to #GlobalSouthNextGen: Voices and Visions, and check out the stories of two KOLs from Ghana and Indonesia who use their creativity, empathy, and the shared desire to make people understand each other a little better.

If you've noticed friends sharing "temple-style" meals or vibrant plant-based hot pots online, you're witnessing a national shift. Plant-based dining has blossomed into one of China's most dynamic food trends, captivating far more than just vegetarians. From students to CEOs, a growing movement is embracing lighter, greener meals. On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Laiming

Tune in to #GlobalSouthNextGen: Voices and Visions! Hear the incredible stories of the young entrepreneurs who are doing things differently. One connects beauty services with people in need, while the other turns waste into sustainable solutions, all while lifting up their communities. Don't you miss this!

The internet is filled with promises that weight loss can be hacked through timing tricks and radical diets. But behind the glossy success stories, doctors are seeing a dangerous reality: emergency visits and broken metabolisms from plans lifted from social media, not science. It's time to separate the fast fixes from the facts, and explore why a responsible, long-term approach to health looks nothing like what the algorithm rewards. On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Yushan

From Singapore's magical coding for a cleaner world to Brazil's green policy shifts... There is a lot that young people can do in our common quest for sustainability. Find out more about efforts to tackle one of the biggest challenges of our times in a new episode of #GlobalSouthNextGen: Voices and Visions. Guests: Ian Chew, Founder and CEO of Greenie Web, Singapore Douglas Ferreira, international relations coordinator of Worker's Party Youth, Brazil

Forget the restaurants. The most authentic meal in China might just be in a government canteen. As these buildings open their doors to the public, serving up real food at real prices, public service is getting a new meaning. On the show: Steve, Yushan & Xingyu

As a young person, how to ensure decision-makers would hear our perspectives? How to spark real changes to the issues we care about? How to get on to the global stage to share our ideas? Join us for #GlobalSouthNextGen: Voices and Visions, to discover how young people around the world make their voices heard and shape the future. Guests: -Hannah Hopper, the Chair of the South African Youth for International Diplomacy (SAYID). -Himadrish Suwan, Chairman of the Confederation of Young Leaders of India -Azizuddin Ahmad, Executive Secretary, Asian Youth Council

The fight for a library chair in China is no small matter. It's a real-time stress test of our public spaces, revealing the delicate balance between offering sanctuary for all and catering to personal demands. / Round Table's Happy Place (17:25). On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Yushan.

The story of climate change is no longer a distant forecast; as COP30 reminds us, it is written in the fate of our world's forests, the acidity of our oceans, and the livelihoods of billions. And in this unfolding story, China's climate commitments are becoming pivotal chapters, adding both decisive weight and a sense of achievable hope. On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Yushun.

Remember when a perfect avocado was a special splurge? That idea is getting a major upgrade. In China, "fruit freedom" is turning yesterday's luxuries into today's everyday staples, powered by a revolution in smart tech and digital supply chains. So what does this new era of affordable abundance mean for the future of our food? / Why do more young people prefer eating at KTVs (12:42)? On the show: Steve, Yushan & Xingyu

Forget the shopping livestreams that once flooded your feed. In China, a new digital courtroom is in session, where lawyers dispense immediate advice to millions online. This revolution offers unprecedented access, sidestepping traditional firms. But this instant justice comes with a price, sparking urgent debates about the ethics of legal counsel at the speed of a click. On the show: Steve, Yushan & Xingyu

A hotel should be a sanctuary for rest. Yet many travelers now feel a flicker of doubt at the sight of a provided towel or the hotel bed. The fundamental expectation of feeling safe and clean away from home is being questioned by ordinary people who just want peace of mind. / Heart to Heart - please send your audio questions to roundtablepodcast@qq.com (16:20). On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Yushan

A newfound appreciation for local dialects is growing on China's university campuses. Recent surveys reveal that an overwhelming majority of students are interested in these regional tongues and want to help preserve them. This interest has sparked practical action, and students are now at the forefront of a movement to weave these ancient linguistic threads into the fabric of modern life. On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Yushan

Across the world, people are growing unexpectedly self-conscious about the tiny sounds and pauses that sneak into our speech. These filler words are universal, ancient, and deeply human. So why have they suddenly become a source of linguistic insecurity? / The problem with maybe (16:45). On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Yushan.

University public courses often live in extremes: they are either profoundly inspiring or profoundly forgettable. What separates the lecture you dreaded from the class you never wanted to end? How can universities make these foundational courses more meaningful, more memorable, and more worthy of a student's time and attention? On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Yushun.

Beyond the lecture halls, a new campus ecosystem thrives online. Student we-media creators are building their brands from dorm rooms, navigating the pull of academic demands against the allure of digital fame. Their growing follower counts bring a hidden calculus of costs that weighs on their studies, their mental well-being, and the quiet of shared living spaces. / Motivational Monday (18:24)! On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun

At Beijing's 2025 Global AI+ Conference, the future of AI is being shaped today. The big question is how China's distinct model of AI integration will redefine not only its own technological frontier, but the entire global digital landscape. On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun

Viral memes and opaque online phrases now weave through classroom discussions and office conversations. While educators note distracted students and parents fret over shrinking vocabularies, linguists point to the gradual fading of nuance in everyday speech. As abbreviated expressions increasingly stand in for complex thought, we are left to wonder what is ultimately lost when shortcuts replace substance. / Round Table's Happy Place (17:22)! On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Yushun

Humanoid robots are capturing global attention, moving from Shanghai's assembly lines to viral videos out of Silicon Valley. Yet for every genuine breakthrough, a cleverly engineered demo seems designed solely for investor buzz. With China pushing for mass production by 2025 and global rivals close behind, the world is waiting to see when these machines will finally become a practical part of our daily lives. On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Yushun

The convenience of one-click ordering often obscures a meal's origin. New regulations in China address this directly, requiring a "No Dine-In" label on ghost kitchens, a significant move for consumer safety and market transparency. / Is cash cringe (15:56)? On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun

The rise of EVs in China is accelerating an automotive design revolution. While innovations such as frunks and zero-gravity seats redefine the cabin experience, they simultaneously ignite a critical global debate concerning their inherent safety implications. On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun

Heart to Heart - please send your audio questions to roundtablepodcast@qq.com. / If you've noticed friends sharing "temple-style" meals or vibrant plant-based hot pots online, you're witnessing a national shift. Plant-based dining has blossomed into one of China's most dynamic food trends, captivating far more than just vegetarians. From students to CEOs, a growing movement is embracing lighter, greener meals (09:41). On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Laiming

China's marathon boom, which brought millions of runners and billions in revenue to the streets of the country's biggest cities, is now facing a deliberate slowdown. With new regulations taking effect this autumn, the focus has shifted from explosive growth to long-term stability. The Chinese Athletics Association is prioritizing safety and professionalism over sheer speed, leaving the entire industry to wonder what happens when an economy built on momentum is suddenly told to slow down. On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Laiming

This year, China's high-speed rail system began welcoming a new kind of passenger: the four-legged kind. A pilot program for pet consignment launched in April and has now expanded to 40 stations and 50 trains, allowing cats and dogs to travel on their own. So, are you ready to plan a great trip for your furry friend? / Is a“desk lunch”a sad lunch (12:06)? On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Xingyu

Seventeen years after its debut, China's Double Eleven shopping festival no longer roars with the same frenzy of flashing deals and sleepless nights. E-commerce platforms are now focusing inward to optimize their operations with AI and instant retail. At the same time, they are expanding outward into global markets. The race has transformed from one about the loudest promotions to one about the most durable and efficient logistics. On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Xingyu

The family group chat has entered its awkward phase. Designed for connection, it now often manufactures obligation, leading to a wave of quiet mutinies. This isn't a breakdown of family ties, but a user-led revolt against a platform that demands too much. The lesson? In the 21st century, setting a digital boundary is becoming a vital form of care. / Motivational Monday (18:37)! On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun

This November, the 15th National Games will electrify Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao with a wave of renewed energy. As the nation's elite athletes converge to pursue glory, the Games themselves are redefining tradition. Prepare for a spectacle where cutting-edge technology meets sustainable design, and where the competition program expands with thrilling new events. This is more than a tournament; it's a dynamic new vision for the future of sport. On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun