Round Table China
Episodes
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 ...
The allure of China's VIP e-bundles
25 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Heart to Heart - please send your audio questions to [email protected]. / VIP perks used to be simple. Now, China's biggest platforms are bundl...
Silk Road, silver screen!
25 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The 12th Silk Road International Film Festival is taking place in Fuzhou, Fujian Province, from September 22nd to 26th. Heyang speaks with Tang Kelan,...
Xinjiang's cultural heritage in new light
24 Sep 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...
Xinjiang's modern industry makeover
23 Sep 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...
Xinjiang's role in Eurasia connectivity
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From the bustling lanes of the world's largest bazaar in Urumqi to the humming logistics hubs at the region's 19 ports, Xinjiang is transforming its g...
The steady energy low GI diet
20 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
That dreaded 3 PM energy crash after a carb-heavy lunch is a common experience, but the solution isn't to abandon carbohydrates—it's to choose them ...
China rolls out free HPV vaccination
19 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
China has made a major update to its National Immunization Program (NIP) by including a domestically produced HPV vaccine, offering it free to school-...
Employee training in decline?
19 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
American firms are cutting back on employee training, while Chinese companies are expanding their programs. Despite these opposing approaches, workers...
Less stress, more vacation time for students!
18 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In an effort to ease the burden on elementary and middle school students, some Chinese schools are embracing more vacations and fewer study aid workbo...
Is pet tech just 'meh' tech?
18 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Our deep bond with pets often conflicts with modern demands like work and travel, leaving a lingering sense of guilt. Tech companies now promise solut...
When 'cute debt' is not so cute
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Buy now, pay later plans break purchases into smaller installments, a method that has surged in global popularity for its apparent convenience. This n...
Cheap & speedy haircuts are in!
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The traditional salon experience often includes a shampoo, blow dry, and small talk. A new wave of barbershops strips this down to the basics. The "10...
On-demand EV charging! Range anxiety solved?
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The eternal hunt for an available charging spot is a major headache for any electric vehicle owner, often draining time and patience. But what if your...
The sandwich generation's squeeze
13 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Occupying the essential center of the sandwich generation means being the first call for homework help and the immediate update after a doctor's visit...
China's reel to real adventures
12 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Golden Panda Awards honor the highest achievements in film and television, yet their influence reaches far beyond the ceremony. These stories act ...
It's National Science Popularization month!
12 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Say goodbye to dull textbooks. Imagine learning science by scrolling through engaging TikTok shorts, exploring AR-powered interactive exhibitions, or ...
Big tech! Better movies?
11 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Think of the most unforgettable moments in film: epic battles, dazzling visuals, and dreamlike worlds. At the heart of them all is technology, now sup...
Hooray for Teachers' Day!
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
More than a date on the calendar, Teachers' Day is an opportunity to honor those who have taught, guided, and inspired us. While educators this year a...
Chengdu hosts the Golden Panda Awards!
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Chengdu, the panda capital of the world, has cemented its status as a global hub for film and television, a fact highlighted by the Golden Panda Award...
The great skill swap!
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Learning does not have to cost anything. Through skill exchange, people share their knowledge and gain new abilities in return, like trading yoga for ...
Game On! China's sports industry push!
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In China, sports have evolved from traditional recreation into a dynamic economic catalyst. The "sports+" model, which integrates athletic participati...
When short dramas meet reality TV
06 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ten seconds. One choice. Your perfect match… or total chaos? ReelShort brings the speed of micro-drama to reality TV with Love Bombing. This isn't j...
Over 2200 new first stores open!
05 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
China's retail scene is electrified, with over 2,200 debut stores launching in just the first six months of 2025. So what's driving this brick-and-mor...
Is your next best friend a stranger?
05 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"Blind box social" arranges meetings between complete strangers, offering a spontaneous alternative to algorithm-driven connections. This trend promis...
China's top private companies list released!
04 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A new benchmark for corporate success has arrived. China's latest ranking of its top private companies is out, and the bar for entry is now a staggeri...
Fitness 'delivered' ? Unpacking China's on-demand workout trend
04 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In today's day and age, we can just order anything. We've ordered takeout food, groceries, even manicures at home — so why not order a sports class?...
After the encore: The expanding concert economy
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In recent years, live performances have transformed from simple entertainment into powerful engines of urban vitality. Concerts, festivals, and stage ...
Court rules against malicious review
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In China, a customer posted on social media that a barbecue restaurant had poor food quality and alleged that it caused an acute case of gastroenterit...
The new era of Chinese animation
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This summer, Chinese animation films and series have surged in popularity, with several titles achieving blockbuster success at the box office. Online...
It's back to school time!
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
School's back, and summer is out. It is time to swap lazy days for new backpacks, sharp uniforms, and well stocked supplies. But this is more than a s...
New standards for safer e-bikes
01 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Electric bikes are fast, convenient, and everywhere in China. But behind this convenience lurk hidden risks: fires, accidents, and illegal modificatio...
What's ticking in watchmaking?
30 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Swiss watch once held an exclusive monopoly on prestige. That era has ended. Now, China's consumers are fueling a profound transformation, embraci...