Round Table China
Episodes
China's grand forest paradox
08 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
One man's elevator ad rebellion
05 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A universal key. Over a hundred muted screens in Shanghai. A debatable, possibly illegal act that went viral—and exposed a deep, shared frustration:...
Are you ready to live a zero-waste life?
05 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
China's new snow break for (some) students
04 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Used EVs: youth's smart mobility hack
04 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In China, a generation raised on digital savvy is rewriting the rules of consumption. Their new status symbol is one of financial intelligence: the pr...
Ultra-perspective: a new view on sports
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 fr...
When barrier-free facilities become barriers
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On December 3rd, we mark the International Day of Disabled Persons. China has made remarkable strides in accessibility, with public facilities now wid...
Do you want to micro-retire?
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 disconne...
The sensitive skin dilemma
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sensitive skin is now a widespread reality across China, with a booming care market standing at the intersection of hope and skepticism. As winter set...
When AI enters the therapy room
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Artificial intelligence now aids in diagnosing conditions such as depression within China's mental health system. By analyzing vocal patterns and micr...
Homes for the heroes of delivery
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Gig work in China is entering a new phase. Leading delivery platforms are building affordable apartments for riders and introducing new welfare benefi...
The work focus disappearing act
28 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In an era of calendar reminders and digital rewards, our relationship with work is evolving. The very tools designed to boost productivity can leave u...
No boundaries in tech - No limits for youth
28 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tune in to #GlobalSouthNextGen: Voices and Visions, and join the conversation with three young scientists from the Global South. One builds open scien...
The new rules of rudeness
27 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
To hear Gen Z talk is to witness a linguistic revolution. The profanity once deemed most vulgar now often passes without comment. However, language th...
KOLs and other ways to connect cultures
27 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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, an...
Encore: From plant to plate: China's healthy dining wave
26 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Start small, dream big: Young entrepreneurs shape our future
26 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tune in to #GlobalSouthNextGen: Voices and Visions! Hear the incredible stories of the young entrepreneurs who are doing things differently. One conne...
Beware the viral diet
25 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The internet is filled with promises that weight loss can be hacked through timing tricks and radical diets. But behind the glossy success stories, do...
Youth go green: From ideas to action
25 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
China's public eatery experiment
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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, ser...
Youth leadership for a shared future
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 great library seat battle
21 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 o...
COP30: What's China's Role?
21 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
How China achieved fruit freedom
20 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Is your lawyer a content creator?
20 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Forget the shopping livestreams that once flooded your feed. In China, a new digital courtroom is in session, where lawyers dispense immediate advice ...
Do you bring your own hotel sheets?
19 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 fundamen...
China's youth leading a dialect revival
19 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A newfound appreciation for local dialects is growing on China's university campuses. Recent surveys reveal that an overwhelming majority of students ...
Like, um, let's talk about filler words
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Across the world, people are growing unexpectedly self-conscious about the tiny sounds and pauses that sneak into our speech. These filler words are u...
The value of university free electives
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
University public courses often live in extremes: they are either profoundly inspiring or profoundly forgettable. What separates the lecture you dread...
The dorm room influencer dilemma
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Beyond the lecture halls, a new campus ecosystem thrives online. Student we-media creators are building their brands from dorm rooms, navigating the p...
The AI+ blueprint for China and the world
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Do we need to stop speaking in memes?
14 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Viral memes and opaque online phrases now weave through classroom discussions and office conversations. While educators note distracted students and p...
Humanoid home robots are getting closer
14 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Humanoid robots are capturing global attention, moving from Shanghai's assembly lines to viral videos out of Silicon Valley. Yet for every genuine bre...
Apps may now label restaurants "Takeout-Only"
13 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 o...
The flip side of EV innovation
13 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The rise of EVs in China is accelerating an automotive design revolution. While innovations such as frunks and zero-gravity seats redefine the cabin e...
From plant to plate: China's healthy dining wave
12 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Heart to Heart - please send your audio questions to [email protected]. / If you've noticed friends sharing "temple-style" meals or vibrant pla...
Marathons run into new rules
12 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 delib...
All aboard the pet express!
11 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
The new Double Eleven: smarter, faster, global
11 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Seventeen years after its debut, China's Double Eleven shopping festival no longer roars with the same frenzy of flashing deals and sleepless nights. ...
Ghosting the family group chat
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The family group chat has entered its awkward phase. Designed for connection, it now often manufactures obligation, leading to a wave of quiet mutinie...
Greater Bay Area lights up National Games
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 co...
Cubicle mate soulmates
07 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Move over, dating apps. The most reliable connection in your life could be the colleague seated next to you—the one who has endured your cringiest p...
The retiree shopping spree
07 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Recent media reports identify Shanghai's elderly as a major mall consumer group. This often-overlooked demographic now dominates weekday foot traffic,...
Your next chef is a robot
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In bustling kitchens across China, steam rises and pans fly, yet no one breaks a sweat. The chef is made of steel. Across the country, robotic cooks a...
The global surge in Chinese language learning
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In classrooms from Nairobi to online forums in Berlin, a new wave of learners is embracing Mandarin. Their goal is not to pass examinations but to eng...
Table for one! China's solo dining trend
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
China now has more than 125 million one-person households, fueling the rapid growth of the solo dining market. Restaurants are responding with mini ho...
CIIE 2025: where global markets connect
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In an era of redefined global supply chains, the China International Import Expo stands as a testament to the enduring power of openness. With its str...
D-I-Why? When saving money costs more
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There's a certain allure to the idea of doing it yourself, a promise of simplicity and satisfaction. Yet, what begins as a straightforward endeavor ca...
Pilot program bypasses high school entrance exam
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For students in China, the high-pressure race toward the "Zhongkao" defines their early youth. Now, a pilot program in Chengdu is eliminating this dec...
The murky ethics of digital resurrection
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Digital resurrection has arrived, but its ethics are dangerously unclear. The recent use of a recreated scholar to promote tea brought about a questio...
China raises civil service age limit
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The 'Curse of 35,' a notorious career barrier, is officially under attack. In a major policy reversal, the government has lifted the age restriction f...
Why do we love to be scared?
31 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why are we drawn to what scares us? A new report has a surprising answer: horror is self-care. We break down the science of how a monster on the scree...
What to expect from APEC 2025
31 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From October 31st to November 1st, many of the world's most influential leaders are convening in South Korea for the APEC summit, united by a shared o...
Decoding China's "tea fee" controversy
30 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You've likely seen a service fee, a tip line, or even a small charge for that sealed pack of tissues. But what about a "tea fee" that's not for the po...
APEC Next Gen: tech and sustainability
30 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today on our special APEC Youth Series, we're joined by two distinguished voices: Chen Xiaobin, a 2025 APEC Summit delegate for young entrepreneurs an...
Double Nine: China's day to honor elders
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In China, the ninth day of the ninth lunar month has always been a day to climb high, both in body and spirit. The Double Ninth Festival calls us to h...
APEC Next Gen: remaking the Asia-Pacific
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Round Table's APEC Youth Series, where we spotlight a new generation reshaping the Asia-Pacific. In this special series, we'll meet the you...
China curbs English test retakers
28 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If college English tests were a video game, the CET-4 (College English Test-4) would be entry-level and the CET-6, hero mode. While some players pass ...
Wigs are all the rage！
28 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
They call it "the most fake business in China,"yet it's never been more real. From the workshops of Xuchang to TikTok screens worldwide, strands of ha...
The male makeup moment has arrived
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The traditional bar of soap is being replaced by serums, sunscreen, and makeup. Men's grooming is in the midst of a profound transformation, with mark...
Prescribing China's online health future
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The October 2025 launch of a new online platform's healthcare venture marks a significant acceleration in the digital transformation of China's medica...
China's youth embrace renting
24 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The old dream was built on ownership: a house for security, a car for status. But China's younger generation is trading that dream for a new kind of f...
UN 80 Series: the power of youth
24 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
October 24th, is United Nations Day, and we're wrapping up our special series with a grand finale. Here on Round Table, Heyang is joined by Dong Xiaom...
China's booming MICE market
23 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
China's MICE sector is back, bigger than predicted. As the world flocks back, what's driving its stunning rebound? And how is China masterfully fusing...
UN 80 Series: a healthier, equal future
23 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
International cooperation transcends strategic interests; it's about creating tangible improvements in people's daily lives. In the second installment...
Is the smart blackboard a smart move?
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Remember the screech of chalk on a blackboard? In China, that sound has been replaced by the silent glow of electronic screens. This multi-billion dol...
Reimagining the UN for a new generation
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Eighty years after its founding, the United Nations' mission remains as vital as ever. But is it still relevant to younger generations? In this first ...
Are hospitals....cool?
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hospitals were once dreaded places of slow time and harsh disinfectant. Now, a wellness revolution is transforming them into destinations young people...
Youth Hubs assist grads in getting started
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Every generation has its "first step into society." For today's youth, that step often begins far from home, in cities where dreams are tall but rent ...
Is the future of AI on your face?
20 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We've been promised the future would be on our faces. Now, a new wave of AI glasses is testing whether the technology can finally live up to its grand...
When your car makes money for you
20 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if your car could do more than just save you money on gas? Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology is transforming electric vehicles from simple transpo...
Young couples rewrite the wedding rulebook
17 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if a wedding swapped the grand ballroom for a favorite local spot? We're diving into how Gen Z is rewriting the rules, creating celebrations that...
Delivery riders given right to refuse
17 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We've all wished for a 'block' button on a difficult client. Well, for delivery riders in China, that fantasy is now real. A major platform is giving ...
Encore: Troubles & triumphs of travel photography
16 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Travel photography first became a dream service for newlyweds almost a decade ago. Over time, it's also grown popular with families with kids and indi...
Encore: Women are gaming's powerful new players
16 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The global gaming industry, now larger than film and music combined, generates over $184 billion. Women make up nearly half of all gamers worldwide, p...
The AI comic drama boom
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
China's media landscape is shifting focus from traditional studios to artificial intelligence. The rapid ascent of "comic dramas," short form and auto...
Care service vouchers for the elderly
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Imagine the physical, emotional, and financial weight of caring for an aging parent with significant disabilities. This July, China launched a new sub...
China's short video apps get a makeover
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Your short-form video app is having an identity crisis. One moment you're watching a viral clip, the next you're thrust into a live video chat with a ...
The rise of skyward adventures
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Forget the guidebooks—the new travel itinerary is written in the stars. "Stargazing tourism" is booming, but why? We explore why travelers are now c...
Rethinking the traditional classroom
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Chalk, test, grade, repeat. But what if school got a makeover? Out goes the one-size-fits-all lecture; in comes co-teaching, flipped classrooms, and "...
China unveils world's new tallest bridge
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you've ever felt your stomach drop looking down from a tall building, imagine driving across a bridge nearly twice the height of the Eiffel Tower. ...
Women in science: progress, power, and the stories we tell
11 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Women in science have shattered barriers and redefined possibility—yet the path forward demands even greater strides. Join Heyang in conversation wi...
Your supermarket is now a restuarant
10 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The age-old experience of shopping for groceries is being redefined, as supermarkets evolve into sophisticated food halls. With the line between resta...
Women in music: excellence in arts and academia
10 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What does it mean to lead as a woman today? As the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women prepares to convene in Beijing, the story of Dr. Lin Li offers a...
Women in entrepreneurship: passion, purpose, and planet
09 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How does an expedition to Antarctica prepare someone to lead a sustainability venture in Beijing? Round Table's Heyang sits down with Songqiao Yao, th...
Record travel during holiday week
09 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As China's National Day holiday wraps up, we look back at a week defined by massive movement, packed tourist spots, and a surge in consumer spending. ...
Classic - Discovering Guizhou: The Guitar Fanatic
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In Zheng'an County, Guizhou province, a thriving guitar manufacturing industry has emerged, supplying major international brands and providing thousan...
Classic - Discovering Guizhou: The Red Hot recipe
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Guizhou Province has long been known for its rugged landscapes and ethnic diversity, but today, it's making headlines for something else: the red hot ...
Classic - Discovering Guizhou: Miao culture extravaganza
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What do spicy peppers, handmade guitars, and green cities have in common? Guizhou. In our new on-the-ground mini-series ChinaHorizons, we invite you t...
Classic - Heritage in motion: Xizang's living traditions
05 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With the digital preservation of the Potala Palace, and the growing popularity of Xizang style carpets, incense and handmade paper among young consume...
Classic - Highland industries, high-quality future
04 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From smart ranching to vegetable greenhouses, from cold-chain logistics to cross-border trade… We take a look at Xizang's industrial transformation ...
Classic - Xinjiang's cultural heritage in new light
03 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In Xinjiang, ancient traditions are not frozen in time but are dynamically evolving. This episode explores how daily life in the millennia-old Kashi A...
Classic - Xinjiang's modern industry makeover
02 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The story of Xinjiang's industry is no longer just about sweet grapes and cotton fields. This episode travels from high tech cotton farms where AI and...
Classic - Xinjiang's role in Eurasia connectivity
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From the bustling lanes of the world's largest bazaar in Urumqi to the state-of-the-art logistics hubs at its 17 land ports, Xinjiang is rapidly trans...
The 50 day path to a new you
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A new internet craze promises a life reset in 50 days with seven straightforward rules. Do you have what it takes to follow them?/ Little white lies a...
Do language skills worry you when traveling?
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
China's eight day holiday has sent millions abroad in pursuit of adventure. Yet behind the thrill of new landscapes lies a subtle challenge. For many ...
Do our relationships define our happiness?
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We have never been more connected and yet never more alone. Our cities rise as monuments of gathering, while true and meaningful conversation slips fu...
Highways in Chengdu waive toll fees
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The end of toll collection on Chengdu's expressways and others across China will reduce costs for daily commuters and the logistics industry. But will...
Rock climbing reaching new heights of popularity
26 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
China is currently experiencing a rapid surge in the popularity of rock climbing, a trend propelled by its debut as an Olympic sport, an expanding mid...
Rural childhood obesity on the rise
26 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
While childhood obesity is often perceived as an urban problem, this is no longer the case in China. Recent data shows a rapid increase in overweight ...