Round Table China

Guess what, on top of the usual summer and winter holidays here in China, some kids are getting spring and autumn breaks too! No wonder even some parents want to go back to school again. What do you think? Is it a good idea or a bit too much fun for the kids? On the show: Niu Honglin, Laiming & Yushan

Today's episode is a little different. We're pressing the pause button on our usual hot takes and heated debates to bring you something more intimate, more personal—a story. It's about memory, love, and how far technology might go to reconnect us with the ones we've lost. On the show: Niu Honglin, Laiming & Yushan

Some call themselves digital nomads, others joke that they're digital refugees instead—it all depends on the thickness of your wallet! But hey, if we’re all just glued to our screens working like cyber laborers, why not do it where the living costs are much friendlier? A new wave of remote workers is turning the trend around—heading back to their hometowns. It's cheaper, familiar, and of course, comes with its own set of challenges. What is it like being a reverse nomad in your home sweet home? On the show: Heyang, Yunqi & Fei Fei

The call of the wild is louder than ever. China's outdoor leisure boom is changing the way we live, spend, and even dress. So, what's driving this desire to escape city life for nature? On the show: Heyang, Yunqi & Fei Fei

This news story is rocking the boat in the academic world where titles have often been valued above effort. A Chinese journal says: when publishing academic research, stop handing your supervisor the first-author spot if they didn't earn it. Is this a long-overdue wake-up call for ethical publishing, or a challenge to entrenched academic practices? / What's the most useless phrase to use in an email (20:50)? On the show: Heyang, Li Yi & Yushun

Not every trip needs four wheels. In China's smaller cities, two is often just enough—faster and cheaper. We dive into the rise of motorcycle ride-hailing apps, spinning into markets where car-hailing apps are feeling the heat. On the show: Heyang, Li Yi & Yushun

When did buying milk tea for colleagues become a stressful part of the workday? Some employees feel trapped in a cycle of mandatory generosity—regularly paying for drinks just to maintain workplace harmony. We’re digging into how peer pressure builds up in the office, and whether intentional bonding is really worth the stress. / Motivational Monday (16:36)! On the show: Heyang, Yushun & Yushan

China’s nursing workforce is growing faster and becoming better educated than ever before, yet hospital wards remain short-staffed, and many nurses report burnout, low morale, and a desire to leave the field.As we mark the 114th International Nurses Day, is it time to rethink not just how we train nurses—but how we treat them? On the show: Heyang, Yushun & Yushan

It's easy to mistake a warm tone and simplified words as respectful—but when we use the same style with both children and older adults, an important line blurs. In English, this well-meaning but often condescending way of speaking, known as elderspeak, is coming under scrutiny. The problem isn't just what we say—it's how we say it, leaving many seniors feeling infantilized rather than valued. So how do cultural norms, tone, and intention shape these conversations? / Round Table's Happy Place (19:31)! On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushan

Food, medicine, groceries, electronics—if it fits on a scooter, it’s fair game in China's high-stakes delivery wars. Tech giants like JD and Alibaba are charging into Meituan and Ele.me's turf, armed with lightning-fast delivery pledges and billion-yuan subsidies. But in this cutthroat, time-sensitive market, where every minute tilts the balance, who has the speed—and the stamina—to come out on top? On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushan

Gym memberships that vanish overnight? Salons that disappear with your cash? China's Supreme Court just slammed the door on prepaid scams. Starting May 1, tough new rules ban businesses from ghosting customers or skirting refunds—marking the end of an era for shady operators. / Gen Z ditching traditional pet names (17:18). On the show: Steve Hatherly, Niu Honglin & Ding Heng

Move over, blue and white collars—China's green-collar revolution is here. With over 3.4 million eco-workers and counting, the country is sprinting toward a sustainable future. But what's fueling this boom? From policy shifts to green tech investments, China is cultivating a legion of environmental professionals. On the show: Steve Hatherly, Niu Honglin & Ding Heng

Move over, milk tea—this summer belongs to crisp, tropical coconut water. Gym-goers, office workers, and wellness seekers are all chasing that hydrating glow. But is it truly a health essential, or just another overhyped trend? We crack open the truth behind the craze. / Heart to Heart - please send your audio questions to roundtablepodcast@qq.com (14:01). On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushan

Heated seats, adaptive cruise—your car has it all… until the subscription ends. Welcome to the age of locked features, where convenience comes with recurring bills. Drivers are realizing: today's 'smart' car might just be a clever way to keep you paying. On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushan

Across North American cafés, workers juggle espresso machines and emotional labor: remembering names, performing cheer, even handwriting pep talks on cups. Some customers cherish the human touch; others wonder—when does 'service with a smile' become unpaid emotional work? The invisible effort of keeping moods light and interactions pleasant often falls disproportionately on service staff. As we rethink fair compensation, perhaps it's time to ask: Should emotional labor come with a paycheck too? On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushun

Long lines at the Temple of Heaven. Packed rural B&Bs. Sold-out concerts. This year's May Day holiday wasn't just a travel surge, it was an economic phenomenon. From digital upgrades and appliance trade-ins to inbound travel boom, people are spending in ways that defy old patterns. The question isn't just where they're going, but what their wallets reveal about the next chapter of China's economy. On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushun

Women in science have shattered barriers and redefined possibility—yet the path forward demands even greater strides. Join Heyang in conversation with Li Tianzhen of DP Technology as they explore the milestones worth celebrating, the systemic challenges still to overcome, and the power of women claiming their space and voice in the tech landscape.

Join Niu Honglin for a captivating conversation with Dr. Lin Li—a renowned Guzheng virtuoso and War Studies scholar from King's College London. Dr. Lin reveals her unique journey of mastering both music and academia, offering powerful insights on how women can redefine success by excelling across disciplines. Discover how passion and intellect converge to create extraordinary impact.

Tune in as Heyang chats with Songqiao Yao, founder and CEO of Wildbound.earth—an innovative, nature-inspired education and sustainability consulting venture based in Beijing. From the icy expanses of Antarctica to the heart of Beijing's sustainable innovation scene, Songqiao blends adventure with purpose in entrepreneurship. Discover how curiosity and courage drive her journey.

Move over, minimalism—there's a new aesthetic taking over Chinese homes, and it's steel cold. Dubbed “Prison-core,” the trend embraces stainless steel everything—walls, shelves, even furniture—channeling stark, industrial vibes straight out of a professional kitchen. Sleek, ultra-modern, and effortlessly low-maintenance, it's a hit with young urbanites. So why are millennials and Gen Z trading warm woods for cellblock chic? / Heart to Heart - please send your audio questions to roundtablepodcast@qq.com (18:46). On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Ding Heng