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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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
For decades, environmental action has been built on a simple idea: plant more trees. But in many places, especially cities, space is limited, and the real challenge is no longer just planting. It is maintaining what already exists. That shift has sparked a new approach. Instead of planting a tree, you adopt one! On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & 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
For World Reading Day, Round Table meets Chinese sci-fi writer Chen Qiufan. He introduces his new book “Ocean Break”: a green utopia island in the Indian Ocean, built by global elites and powered by AI. But beneath the perfect surface lie sacrificed lives, buried histories, and a dangerous faith in technology. Part 2 of our 5-part series on Chinese authors. On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan
AI is already inside classrooms across China, personalizing homework, grading essays, and tracking student data. None of that is new. But what about the teachers? They are being retrained and redefined, asked to evolve from knowledge providers into ethical guides for a digital world. On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan
Several Chinese cities are rewriting their parking rules. Lower fees, shorter billing increments, free overnight and holiday parking. The goal is to free up spaces and ease costs for drivers. But will these changes actually work or just create new problems? On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun
France just made it easier to return looted artifacts from the colonial era. Sacred objects. Royal treasures. So what does that mean for China, a country that lost countless relics to foreign powers over the past two centuries? /For Travel China through film EP3, our picks today is "The Grandmaster". So where will this journey take us (18:10)? On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun
Imagine AI glasses that translate 89 languages, a robot picking tea leaves, and a flying car all under one roof. That is the 6th China International Consumer Products Expo in Hainan, part tech showcase and part future shopping cart. Beyond the gadgets lie green energy and smart logistics. So what do these trends say about China's market potential and Hainan's tourism goldmine? On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan
Everyone has heard the old belief. Real greatness demands sacrifice and struggle. The best among us only made it because somebody drove them hard, often brutally so. But fresh evidence is challenging that idea. Where is the line between pushing hard and causing real harm? On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & 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 (18:43)? On the show: Niu Honglin, Fei Fei & Yushan
Imagine growing your own vegetables without leaving the city. In China, shared garden plots and "cloud farming" apps let people manage crops, harvest on weekends, or get fresh veggies delivered to their door. So how can technology really bring the countryside to city life? On the show: Niu Honglin, Fei Fei & Yushan
Cities are packed with leisure spots—restaurants, malls, parks, nightlife districts. But lately, a surprising new venue has entered the chat: the city bus. Once the most ordinary piece of urban infrastructure, it's now being reinvented into a moving experience. Think hot pot dinners on wheels, karaoke buses, even pet-friendly rides. This humble form of public transport is turning into something far more social, creative, and entertaining than anyone ever expected. On the show: Niu Honglin, Yushan & Yushun
Welcome to our special segment, China Finds! This is where we take a cultural moment from China and unpack the story behind it—not as a history lesson, but as a conversation. Today, we unravel how young Chinese are turning ancestral traditions into vibrant conversations between past and present. On the show: Niu Honglin, Yushan & Yushun
Move over, Gen Z trends. The latest identity young people are claiming for themselves is "old-school human." It's a deliberate step back from the hyper-digital world—but what does it actually look like? Today, we're exploring why a generation is choosing to slow down. / Is your water pump trying to kill you (13:12)? On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yangyang
Forget the teenage gamers—the newest power users are your grandparents. From chasing flash sales at midnight to becoming viral influencers, seniors are taking over the internet. But with that connection comes a new danger: digital addiction. We explore the rise of the silver netizen and the fight to make the web age-friendly. On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yangyang
For centuries, tea was a staple, the quiet ceremonial background note to Chinese life. But in 2026, the spring harvest has transformed into a high‑stakes economic engine, triggering a massive mobilization of labor, capital, and live‑streamed commerce. Have you ever considered making your next trip tea‑themed? On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Yushan
Over the past decade, the rise of pet-friendly cafés, restaurants, and shopping malls has reflected a broader change in urban culture. Pets are no longer just companions at home. But recently, some businesses have begun reversing course by tightening rules or removing pet-friendly labels altogether. On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Yushan
The biggest climate solution isn't some new invention. It's something we're already throwing away. Millions of tons of food go to waste every year, quietly making the planet warmer, but it doesn't have to be this way. In fact, this is one of the simplest fixes we've got. So why are we still so bad at it? On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan
Remember those weekend marriage markets where parents posted résumés on park walls? They've gone digital. Now, anxious parents are swiping for sons- and daughters-in-law from the comfort of their living rooms. An old tradition, reinvented for the app era. On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan
Mark Watson, Stephen Hendry and Steven Hallworth react to the major news that snooker's showpiece event, the World Championship, will remain in Sheffield until 2045. The trio talk Ronnie O'Sullivan's internet-breaking 153! And Thepchaiya Un-Nooh was on fire in Yushan, making a mere 147 on his way to beating the Rocket in a thrilling final. Sit back, relax and enjoy the show!
Retirement isn't what it used to be. Shanghai has launched a sweeping plan to reintegrate seniors into the workforce, shifting the focus from caring for the elderly to empowering them. So why is retiring at 60 fading fast? On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan
Three stories with no obvious connection. That is the easy way out. So instead, we picked three segments from this week that seem unrelated at first glance. Dig deeper, though, and something ties them together. On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan
Spring greens have taken over. Suddenly, your friends are experts on what's in season. Grocery runs feel like scavenger hunts, and vegetables have become the main event. So why are we obsessing over these bitter, fleeting leaves? Is it about taste? Health? Nostalgia? Or is it just the vibe? On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun
Imagine checking into a five-star hotel and never leaving. No short-term stays. No eventual move to a care facility when you need help. Across China, luxury hotels are being converted into permanent homes for an aging generation. / Is F1 the fastest growing sport in China(21:43) ? On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun
Spring has arrived, and so have your allergies. That yellow dust covering everything looks like nature's confetti and the trees themselves might be the problem. We look at how city planners accidentally turned pollen season into a full-blown sneezefest and whether there's any hope for breathing easy again. On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan
There's a lot happening beneath the surface, literally. New sites are emerging, long-studied relics are revealing fresh secrets, and the questions we're asking don't have tidy answers yet. We share our first installment of China Finds. On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan
Young people in China are walking away from their screens and heading to the market. We explore the revival of Ganji and why an old-fashioned way of shopping, full of noise, street food, and human connection, is resonating with a new generation. On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan
What if you could walk out of a bad movie 20 minutes in and get your money back? A theater in Hangzhou is trying exactly that, and China's film industry is taking notice. The experiment pits audience satisfaction against artistic vision in a billion-dollar market. On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan
Step into a Chinese mall today and you might be surprised. Crowds are back, but many younger shoppers are opting for a different retail experience. They are heading to flea markets and second-hand shops, where the thrill lies in the hunt. While middle-aged consumers fuel mall spending, youth culture increasingly revolves around pre-owned treasures. On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Yushan
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
China just unveiled an ambitious plan to shake up theater. It's probably not what you think. Forget dusty relics. This is ancient art meeting the algorithm, with vertical screen dramas, a youth surge, and serious momentum building. Can any of it turn traditional performance into the next big cultural wave? On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan
Many think of artificial intelligence as merely playing a supporting role, automating the routine and optimizing the everyday. But China's latest move rewrites that script entirely. Enter the "smart economy," a full-scale fusion of industrial might and machine intelligence. Here, AI doesn't assist. It drives. On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan
International relations aren't just shaped at summits. The real exchanges happen in classrooms and everyday conversations. In this episode of Generation Global, Round Table's Yushan talks with three young scholars from the US, the UK, and Indonesia living in Beijing. They arrived with expectations, but their time in China has reshaped how they see the country.
For many young people, the nine-to-five job is no longer the only or preferred option. Flexible schedules, multiple income streams, and digital entrepreneurship are increasingly part of the career landscape. In China, this has fueled the rapid rise of new forms of employment, from delivery services to livestream commerce. As lawmakers and political advisers gather at the Two Sessions, the country is taking a closer look at how this new generation of workers is reshaping the labor market. On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Yushan