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In early June 2026, a cruise slipped out of Shanghai. The Adora Magic City steamed into open water with no foreign dock in sight, then looped back to where it began. They call it a 'voyage to nowhere,' and travelers are booking. Why is this non-trip the most buzzed-about experiment in Chinese tourism? On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan
Smart glasses promise to translate any language, recognize every face, and capture life hands-free, all without a phone in sight. But when a device can see, store, and remember everything you do, the line between helpful and invasive starts to blur. / Should you come down hard when a child lies (23:00)? On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan
For years, "A" grades have been piling up like participation trophies. Now Harvard University is hitting the brakes. A strict 20 percent cap on top marks has students nervous and corporate recruiters thrilled. Why the sudden crackdown, and will other elite schools follow suit? / Does your fruit look different at home than in the market (22:41)? On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yangyang
June 19 marks this year's Dragon Boat Festival, one of China's oldest traditions. These days, it is about more than rice dumplings and boat races. The holiday now includes study tours, DIY herb bouquets, healthier takes on zongzi, and race events built around tourism. How can ancient celebrations evolve without losing their soul? On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yangyang
China welcomed more than 150 million international visitors in 2025, and the usual postcard sights are only part of the story. Easier visa rules and a new wave of discovery driven by social media are flipping the old narrative on its head. From reimagined heritage sites to experiences that blend tradition with modern flair, the country is offering something fresh at every turn. On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan
Open a music app in China and you might find a poet from a thousand years ago sitting alongside today's biggest pop stars. Ancient lyrics are being set to fresh new melodies, and young listeners are trading textbooks for playlists. This is how the past goes viral in the present. On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan
The takeout bag that shows up at your door doesn't look or feel like it used to. Same goes for the straw, the container, and the little box holding your noodles. The guidelines for delivery packaging are getting stricter, which means everything from the materials to the design is being redesigned to be more efficient and better for the planet. So what exactly has changed, and how did we get here? On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun
There's a growing backlash against the throwaway culture most of us grew up with. Enter the Repair Café movement. Strangers sit down together, pull out their broken stuff, and actually fix it. They bring in toasters, sweaters, lamps, and anything else you can imagine. What started small has turned into a global wave of people who refuse to replace what they can repair. / The Soapbox:"Photo-Perfect People"(14:18) On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun
Every four years, the World Cup takes over the planet. But behind the viral moments and dramatic goals lies a much bigger story. We're talking global brands, local businesses, wild tech experiments, and debates no one saw coming. This isn't just about football. It's about what the world's biggest event reveals about all of us, including the people who never watch a single game. On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yang Guang
The Shanghai International Film Festival is back and completely different this year, breaking records with over 4,100 submissions from 125 countries. But the real story is what happens off screen, from AI workshops and experimental film labs to walking tours through historic neighborhoods. So how is SIFF turning all of Shanghai into part of the show? On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yang Guang
What if your shortcut to a better body came with hidden costs? Luxury weight loss camps are booming, promising fast results and a summer transformation. But behind the glossy reviews, some facilities have been cited for safety violations. When does a health goal become a health risk? / Why is an apology so hard to get right (19:09)? On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun
As mosquito-borne diseases spread, Chinese cities are taking action. But a proposal coming from one company in the U.S. is another story. Releasing over 30 million bioengineered mosquitoes sounds extreme. Is it bold science or a step too far? On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun
Take a deep breath. Half the oxygen you just inhaled came from one place, the ocean. But right now, that invisible life support system is sending distress signals. Warmer waters. Emptying nets. Coastlines that no longer look familiar. This World Oceans Day, we explore what happens when the thing we've taken for granted begins to shift and how we can rise to meet that challenge. On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan
The Gaokao is here. In 2026, with AI and smart classrooms reshaping education, what has become of this tradition? Forget the scores for a minute. What does this ritual actually reveal about hope, struggle, and coming of age in today's China? On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan
World Environment Day is no longer just about emissions and tree planting. This year, the UN wants us to reimagine our economies and our relationship with the planet. China's vision? "Beautiful China," where development and ecology grow side by side. Plus, a conversation with Tahomina Sultana, a young woman with a dream to help her home country of Bangladesh. On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun
You know that feeling when everyone else seems to have it figured out and you're just wandering? The Odyssey time of life may have you wondering how to navigate the unknown. The good news is, you're not alone. On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun
From pickleball to Hyrox, the way China is getting fit is changing. Across the country, 800 million people took part in outdoor sports last year. Retirees. Office workers. Mothers. They are turning courts and trails into offline social platforms. They are not here to win or get attention. They are here for the experience. On the show: Fei Fei, Steve & Yushan
For decades, Chinese factories and families saved money by waiting until midnight to use bulk electricity. But as solar power floods the grid, the cheapest electricity is not necessarily at midnight anymore. With record heat driving up power usage, operators are rethinking how to design the system in a smarter way with a more flexible pricing system. On the show: Fei Fei, Steve & Yushan
Centuries of art history, billions of dollars, and one problem that may finally have a solution. Fingerprint of Things (FoT) technology now allows researchers to use microscopic bubble patterns and tangled paper fibers as natural ID cards for ancient objects. / Are you a future faker (14:58)? On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun
From lattes and cakes to bottled drinks and soft serve, matcha is everywhere right now, and China makes a huge percentage of the world's supply. Farmers are ditching old crops, factories can't keep up, and exports are exploding. Is this just another social media fad, or is matcha here to stay? On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun
What do motorcycles, letters from overseas, and university campuses have in common? On the surface, nothing. But dig a little deeper, and nothing is truly separate. The Full Circle finds that connection. On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun
The UK just passed a radical ban: no tobacco for anyone born after 2008. Meanwhile, Chinese cities like Shenzhen and Hong Kong are using AI and other technologies to police public smoking, all in the name of clean air. Gen Z is becoming the first "nicotine free generation." But even if laws really can kill addiction, where do we draw the line between protecting health and policing choice? On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun
How did Chinese migrants send money and messages home before phones or banks existed? They did not click send. Instead, they handed cash and letters to couriers who crossed the sea on faith alone. It was not fast, but it somehow worked. We're talking about Qiaopi, a forgotten system that connected families when nothing else could. / Would you take a lot more money for a lot more loneliness (14:25)? On the show: Steve, Yushan & Xingyu
You share a room, you share the space, and you might even share the chores. But what happens when your roommate starts running a business from the top bunk? In China, some students are launching side hustles right from their dorms. But when does a side gig start to cross the line? On the show: Steve, Yushan & Xingyu
Flood season is hitting harder than ever. This year, China isn't just waiting for disasters to happen. It's seeing them coming. Faster warnings. Smarter tech. Less guesswork. The fight against extreme weather is getting an upgrade. On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan
Gen Z in the United States has taken up a new self-care hobby. For those who suffer from anxiety, people are packing small comfort bags to help them get through a tough moment. Smart planning, or a touch of self-indulgence? On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan
Something new appeared at a major motorsport event in the Taklamakan Desert recently. It's a type of gasoline most drivers have never seen before: 103-grade fuel. When people online started talking, the questions got interesting fast. Should you be putting it in your car? On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun
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
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
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
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: Niu Honglin, Yushan & Yushun
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 Institute for Postmodern Development of China. On the show: Niu Honglin, Yushan & Yushun
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, Steve & Yushan
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
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 stories they have to tell.
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 roundtablepodcast@qq.com (17:17). On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan
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
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
The May Day holiday is nearly upon us, but the booking trends and flight maps tell a different story this year. It's not just where people are going, but how they're thinking about travel altogether. The old rules of a "good vacation" don't seem to apply anymore. Because behind this diverse and more accessible tourism is a safety net, one that's giving people the confidence to truly explore the country, on their own terms. On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan
What if perfection is boring? A Chinese reality show is putting that question to the test live on air. No retouches. No second takes. Just glorious, awkward, unfiltered authenticity. When did we stop wanting perfection and start wanting someone who sounds exactly like the rest of us? / Awake at night? Don't check the time (13:50) On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan
One of the biggest auto shows in history is happening right now in Beijing, with nearly 1,500 vehicles and over 180 world premieres. But this isn't just about shiny new models. China is rewriting the rules of the road, from next generation batteries to smarter assisted driving. So what are the biggest trends coming out of Beijing, and how will they reshape the cars you drive? On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan
One partner here, the other there. Different cities for some. Separate homes in the same crowded metro for others. And strangely, they all say the distance keeps them together. Is planned weekend intimacy the future of love, or just a slow goodbye? / Would you give up your lunch break to go home early (14:02)? On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan
On this week's edition of The Soapbox, a young woman in southern China has stirred up controversy. She posted about taking a five hour nap at her company in protest of what she calls a low salary. Online, she received very little support. On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun
At the Sixth Asian Beach Games in Sanya, the wind and waves become part of the game, where every move looks effortlessly shaped by the sea. But how does an entire city transform into the main stage? This is where sport meets the shoreline, and the result is anything but ordinary. On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun
National Reading Week has come and gone. According to a fresh report, China's online literature scene isn't just bigger than ever; it's a genuine economic force. / Also today, we wrap up our distinguished Chinese author series with its fifth and final guest, writer Ren He. He shares a book that deeply resonates with him: "I Clean Up Garbage in a Wasteland World." (10:54) On the show: Steve, Yushun & Yushan.
AI can already book your hotel and order your food. Now it's coming for your ride. In China, platforms are turning ride-hailing into a single sentence. You say what you need, like a smooth trip, a stop along the way, or a car that fits a child or a pet, and AI handles the rest. On the show: Steve, Yushun & Yushan.
Writer Di An wrote the books that defined your teenage years. Now she's writing for the adult you've become. In this third episode of our World Book Day series, we talk about "Dear Fengmi," a novel about a single mom, a twice-divorced man, and a little girl named Honey who asks why ice cream melts. / Does diamond still mean love for eternity to you (14:22)? On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Yushan