Round Table China

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

Habits run on autopilot—but invisible habits? They operate deeper, hidden in the subconscious, silently steering our choices without us even noticing. These unseen routines sculpt our days, our decisions, even our identities. So what happens when we drag them into the light and rewrite them? / Motivational Monday (19:51)! On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushun

How many online orders have you made this year? One? Ten? Lost count? Well, here's a staggering stat: China has already shipped over 100 billion parcels in 2025—and it's only July. That's roughly 6,000 packages loaded up and are on their way to doorsteps across the country. The scale is mind-blowing. So how did the delivery industry get this fast, this smart, and this massive? On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushun

A character at a tourism spot is way more than meets the eye. These non-player characters (NPCs) mean a lot to the companies they represent, and a lot to the people who enjoy them as well. / Round Table's Happy Place (15:51)! On the show: Steve Hatherly, Yunqi & Yushan

While children today face growing health challenges—from near-sightedness to obesity—a powerful solution is emerging: personalized "exercise prescriptions" and community-wide efforts to get kids moving. By combining medical expertise with fun, tailored activities, doctors and educators are turning the tide on sedentary lifestyles, proving small changes can yield lifelong health benefits. On the show: Steve Hatherly, Yunqi & Yushan

Menopause is a natural yet demanding transition that millions of women navigate while working, parenting, and maintaining their lives. Behind the silence lie debilitating hot flashes, sleepless nights, and emotional turbulence—too often endured alone in a society that dismisses this phase. For women supporting families and careers, these symptoms threaten livelihoods. It's time to normalize conversations, reshape workplaces, and build support systems that reflect this universal female experience. On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Niu Honglin

Old neighborhoods are getting a fresh start—smoother streets, pocket parks around the corner, smart lights lining the blocks, and new gathering spots for everyone. This isn't about demolition, but thoughtful upgrades that keep the soul of these places intact. Across the country, cities are finding ways to modernize without erasing their past. The real magic happens when technology and community come together to shape what's next. On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Niu Honglin

Forget 'you are what you eat.' The real game-changer? How you eat it. Science says tweaking just one thing about your meals—no willpower required—could dial up your focus, steady your mood, and keep your blood sugar in check. There is a downside though. It may make eating a little annoying. / AI pet short dramas (16:07). On the show: Steve Hatherly, Niu Honglin & Yushun

China's food delivery wars flooded the market with unsustainable discounts—until regulators stepped in. Behind the deals, tactics crossed lines. Now, as the frenzy fades, the real question is how to make sure platforms keep prices low without sacrificing fair competition. On the show: Steve Hatherly, Niu Honglin & Yushun

We've all heard the saying: "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." But what if those lemons suddenly cost a fortune? We uncover the reasons behind soaring citrus prices—and the surprising new drink trend that's about to dominate your summer. / Thinking beyond Good vs. Bad (15:41). On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushun

In China, vocational education has long been seen as a second-choice path, overshadowed by the prestige of university degrees. But times are changing. Some top students are now skipping university for technical training—once unthinkable. As policies shift, job prospects and perceptions evolve, the value of skilled work is being redefined. Could this be the start of an era where ability outweighs credentials? On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushun

We've all seen it—a friend raves about a hotpot spot, an influencer hypes a 'must-have' product, or a vlogger casually drops a gadget recommendation. But when does a personal post become a hidden ad? Should WeChat Moments or livestream plugs count as commercial advertising? The real challenge: where should regulators draw the line? / Motivational Monday (20:44)! On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushan

This summer isn't just hot—it's hottest. While some blast the AC and call it survival, others are floating their way to victory with 'loser rafting': no skill, no speed, just a lazy river and a determination to do absolutely nothing. Turns out, in a scorching season, the smartest way to win is to not even try. Tune in for a refreshing take on how a nation learns to live, adapt, and float through extreme summer. On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushan

To all the hardworking professionals out there - you've earned that vacation time, fair and square. Yet when the moment comes, do you take it without guilt? In the U.S., where hustle culture runs deep, vacation guilt is all too common. So why does taking time off evoke a sense of guilt? / Little dots on smartphone outsmart motion sickness (24:50) / Round Table's Happy Place (30:11)! On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Gao Junya

International Moon Day, established by the UN in 2021, honors humanity's collective lunar exploration—from early spacefaring nations to China's historic far-side missions. How will today's moonshots shape the future of science, technology，and maybe even life beyond Earth? On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Gao Junya

Fast, fun, and space-smart—ping pong is winning over a new wave of casual players, especially busy urban professionals. From after-work classes to quick matches between meetings, table tennis is becoming the workout of choice for city dwellers across China. / Is "F" the best seat on a high-speed train (18:28)? On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Guo Yan

What does it take to turn equations into breakthroughs? The journey begins with basic science—quiet, patient, and often overlooked for decades. It starts even earlier, in the classroom. As the 2025 International Congress of Basic Science (ICBS) convenes in Beijing, the world is watching: How does China transform fundamental research into real-world innovation? And more critically—how is it cultivating the next generation of STEM leaders to push boundaries further? On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Guo Yan

Let's be real—when do you actually bench-press in daily life? Across China, functional fitness is gaining momentum as people shift from isolated lifts to practical strength. It focuses on compound movements—lifting, twisting, pushing—building real-world ability that lasts. Just how functional is your fitness? / Throning: Dating for status (15:19). On the show: Steve Hatherly, Yushun & Yushan