Round Table China
- Episodes
- 378
- Released
- daily
- Latest episode
- Nov 13, 2026
About the podcast
Round Table is a premier English radio/podcast show, straight from Beijing. Hear what's buzzing on the Internet and the main streets, see the latest lifestyle trends, and feel the pulse of life in China, Round Table is your golden ticket. With dynamic cultural exchanges between hosts from diverse backgrounds, we take you on a journey deep into modern China. We invite you to join our conversation! Shoot us an email or a voice memo at [email protected]. Let the fun begin!
Episodes 378
What skills will matter in the age of AI?
As AI takes on more tasks once handled by humans, from writing and analysis to creativity and decision-making, what will set people apart in the workplace? For young people entering an AI-driven job market, the …
Show notes
As AI takes on more tasks once handled by humans, from writing and analysis to creativity and decision-making, what will set people apart in the workplace? For young people entering an AI-driven job market, the challenge is not simply learning to use new technology but understanding where human skills will matter most. Singapore-based entrepreneur Ian Chew discusses the skills, mindset, and qualities the next generation will need to stay relevant with Fei Fei and Yushan.Qigong: the barely-working-out secret
The secret to a better morning might not be working out harder, but barely working out at all. Qigong, an ancient Chinese practice of slow, breath-led movement, is quietly replacing high-intensity routines …
Show notes
The secret to a better morning might not be working out harder, but barely working out at all. Qigong, an ancient Chinese practice of slow, breath-led movement, is quietly replacing high-intensity routines across the West. Can clinical evidence cut through the wellness buzz, and can 10 mindful minutes really change your body and mind? On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & YushanBeijing's school meal overhaul
Beijing is banning outsourced school lunches, and by 2027 every school in the city must run its own canteen, with food buying centralized at the district level. What difference will it make for students …
Show notes
Beijing is banning outsourced school lunches, and by 2027 every school in the city must run its own canteen, with food buying centralized at the district level. What difference will it make for students, parents, and schools, and does bringing cooking back in-house actually make meals safer and better? On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & YushanAre you low on vitamin D?
Think fatigue, muscle weakness and constant achiness are just part of modern life? New research points to a hidden culprit most of us never check: vitamin D. Adults in China are overwhelmingly falling short …
Show notes
Think fatigue, muscle weakness and constant achiness are just part of modern life? New research points to a hidden culprit most of us never check: vitamin D. Adults in China are overwhelmingly falling short, with younger people hit hardest by indoor lifestyles. / Is your prefrontal cortex attractive (17:42)? On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & YushunDouble Eleven goes AI
China's biggest online sales festival is in full swing, and the standout helper this year is artificial intelligence. AI is lending a hand at every turn, from shoppers weighing their options to courier firms …
Show notes
China's biggest online sales festival is in full swing, and the standout helper this year is artificial intelligence. AI is lending a hand at every turn, from shoppers weighing their options to courier firms bracing for a parcel avalanche, and it's even flying off the shelves itself. On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & YushunThe Soapbox: should the subway charge you for lingering?
A time restriction in Guangzhou is catching subway riders off guard and sparking debate about extra fees for staying underground too long. The policy raises questions about whether public transit systems should …
Show notes
A time restriction in Guangzhou is catching subway riders off guard and sparking debate about extra fees for staying underground too long. The policy raises questions about whether public transit systems should charge passengers for the time they spend inside their stations. On the show: Steve, Yushan & YushunHive mind: China's evolving beekeeping industry
Bees pollinate one third of the global food supply, but shifting seasons and shrinking habitats are putting them at risk. Beekeepers in China are responding with smart hive technology and restored flower …
Show notes
Bees pollinate one third of the global food supply, but shifting seasons and shrinking habitats are putting them at risk. Beekeepers in China are responding with smart hive technology and restored flower habitats. These efforts to protect pollinating insects are also creating new economic possibilities for rural communities. On the show: Steve, Yushan & YushunDogs, rules and city living
For many people, dogs are family members, not just pets. That makes it especially difficult when a city begins enforcing rules that could leave some dogs effectively confined to their homes. Hangzhou's …
Show notes
For many people, dogs are family members, not just pets. That makes it especially difficult when a city begins enforcing rules that could leave some dogs effectively confined to their homes. Hangzhou's regulations have led to discussion about fairness and practical solutions, with the goal of balancing the needs of residents, dog owners and the four-legged family members themselves. On the show: Steve, Yushan & YushunThe great outdoor boom
China's outdoor adventure boom is reshaping how people spend their free time, from weekend cycling groups and hiking trails to marathon runners chasing personal bests. That surge in demand is fueling a massive …
Show notes
China's outdoor adventure boom is reshaping how people spend their free time, from weekend cycling groups and hiking trails to marathon runners chasing personal bests. That surge in demand is fueling a massive commercial opportunity across high-tech gear, tourism and sporting events. The industry now faces the challenge of sustaining growth while preserving the people, places and natural environments that make these activities possible. On the show: Steve, Yushan & YushunThe AI toys that barely do anything
Hundreds of yuan for a desk buddy that won't lift a finger to help you sounds like a bad deal. No chores, no career advice, just the occasional funny noise. Yet an entire generation seems to think otherwise …
Show notes
Hundreds of yuan for a desk buddy that won't lift a finger to help you sounds like a bad deal. No chores, no career advice, just the occasional funny noise. Yet an entire generation seems to think otherwise. China's booming market for AI companions is built on charm over brainpower, and the companies behind it are betting that connection matters more than capability. On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & YushanOne market, 1.4 billion shoppers
Fresh watermelons in Chinese markets practically all year round are just the beginning. Behind that year-round produce sits a much larger experiment in connecting 1.4 billion consumers and producers into one …
Show notes
Fresh watermelons in Chinese markets practically all year round are just the beginning. Behind that year-round produce sits a much larger experiment in connecting 1.4 billion consumers and producers into one seamless national market. As global businesses gather in Shanghai for the ninth CIIE this week, the focus turns to what a unified national market actually means on the ground and who stands to gain from it. On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & YushanThe medical reality show firestorm
Cameras roll as medical students compete, and viewers question whether they are ready for real patients. A Chinese reality show has sparked fierce debate after contestants stumbled through basic clinical tasks …
Show notes
Cameras roll as medical students compete, and viewers question whether they are ready for real patients. A Chinese reality show has sparked fierce debate after contestants stumbled through basic clinical tasks. The fallout raises questions about medical education as entertainment and who bears responsibility. / Do you wash your hair for someone special (18:05)? On the show: Steve, Yushun & XingyuBadminton's shuttlecock shake-up
Badminton players in China are finally catching a break after two years of steep price increases. Cheaper raw materials and synthetic shuttlecocks squeezing the feather market are quietly reshaping the …
Show notes
Badminton players in China are finally catching a break after two years of steep price increases. Cheaper raw materials and synthetic shuttlecocks squeezing the feather market are quietly reshaping the industry. Casual players welcome the lower prices, while premium brands go their own way. What's really driving the change, and where does the shuttlecock industry go next? On the show: Steve, Yushun & XingyuFrom Grandpa Dante to star making: China's NPC craze
Chinese tourist sites are no longer just backdrops for vacation photos. Step inside one and you may find yourself cast in a story. Performers take on characters, characters become stars, and some attractions …
Show notes
Chinese tourist sites are no longer just backdrops for vacation photos. Step inside one and you may find yourself cast in a story. Performers take on characters, characters become stars, and some attractions now recruit talent from overseas in pursuit of the next viral moment. Sustaining the spectacle is a harder trick, and it comes down to the opportunities, the pressures, and the race to stand out. On the show: Steve, Yushan & YushunWhen farming takes flight
China operates the world's largest fleet of agricultural drones. They spray crops, scout fields, and haul fruit down mountainsides that once cost hours of sweat to cross. On many farms, the hardest worker no …
Show notes
China operates the world's largest fleet of agricultural drones. They spray crops, scout fields, and haul fruit down mountainsides that once cost hours of sweat to cross. On many farms, the hardest worker no longer stands in the field. It hums overhead. How does that revolution reach every farmer? On the show: Steve, Yushan & YushunHow can public hospitals help solve China's childcare dilemma?
Who looks after your baby when you go back to work? Across China, more public hospitals are now stepping into the childcare business, offering care for children under three. Could that make childcare more …
Show notes
Who looks after your baby when you go back to work? Across China, more public hospitals are now stepping into the childcare business, offering care for children under three. Could that make childcare more affordable for young families? On the show: Steve, Yushan & YushunDrink big water, sleep big sleep: the internet's love of naming things
Every small habit now comes with a name. A morning routine becomes an optimized system, and a few favorite songs become a curated playlist. Social media in China and also elsewhere in the world has turned …
Show notes
Every small habit now comes with a name. A morning routine becomes an optimized system, and a few favorite songs become a curated playlist. Social media in China and also elsewhere in the world has turned ordinary life into something to label, package, and present, and that playful habit of naming is exactly what makes internet slang so much fun to learn. On the show: Steve, Yushan & YushunChina Finds: can tech revive ancient Liangzhu?
Liangzhu offers rare evidence of early state formation in China, and safeguarding a 5,000-year-old civilization means more than preserving artifacts. The next generation also needs to feel what life was like …
Show notes
Liangzhu offers rare evidence of early state formation in China, and safeguarding a 5,000-year-old civilization means more than preserving artifacts. The next generation also needs to feel what life was like then, so experts are using drone light shows and virtual reality in creative and careful ways. The real challenge is protecting the past while making it discoverable. On the show: Steve, Fei Fei, Yushan.Can AI read health reliably?
AI tools can review scans, faces, and even your tongues. In China, a machine can tell you what's wrong with your body in minutes after a quick scan of your tongue. But healthcare AI also raises real questions …
Show notes
AI tools can review scans, faces, and even your tongues. In China, a machine can tell you what's wrong with your body in minutes after a quick scan of your tongue. But healthcare AI also raises real questions about its promises, its blind spots, and the moments when a screen could save someone or cause harm. On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan.No coffee, no seat? New café seating rules stir debate
A new café seating policy from Starbucks has reignited a debate here in China about what coffee shops are for. Are they simply places to buy coffee, or public-facing spaces where people can work, study, meet …
Show notes
A new café seating policy from Starbucks has reignited a debate here in China about what coffee shops are for. Are they simply places to buy coffee, or public-facing spaces where people can work, study, meet friends, or take a break? / Duolingo is now offering lessons in the Shanghai dialect (19:04). On the show: Fei Fei, Steve & YushunAre people taking long-distance buses again?
China's long-distance coach industry is staging a comeback, with electric buses, smarter route planning, and services tailored to traveler needs driving the revival. How is the humble coach finding new ways to …
Show notes
China's long-distance coach industry is staging a comeback, with electric buses, smarter route planning, and services tailored to traveler needs driving the revival. How is the humble coach finding new ways to win passengers back in a country where where high-speed rail and budget flights dominate? On the show: Fei Fei, Steve & YushunThe Soapbox: when the college allowance gets cut
A freshman's allowance gets slashed mid-semester, setting off a small family negotiation over weekly payments, a trial period, and a bonus tied to exam results. What looks like a simple money dispute runs …
Show notes
A freshman's allowance gets slashed mid-semester, setting off a small family negotiation over weekly payments, a trial period, and a bonus tied to exam results. What looks like a simple money dispute runs deeper, raising questions about dependence, trust, and whether college is where young people should learn to manage money or just spend it. On the show: Steve, Yushan & YushunCan computing cure disease faster?
What if we could understand disease and predict whether a treatment will work before spending years and billions of dollars testing it? China has made computational medicine a national priority, betting that …
Show notes
What if we could understand disease and predict whether a treatment will work before spending years and billions of dollars testing it? China has made computational medicine a national priority, betting that AI, supercomputing, and massive biological data can transform drug discovery by 2030. Can computing truly lead us to better cures, and what doors does this emerging field open for the next generation of scientists? On the show: Steve, Yushan & YushunShanshenbu and more: Decoding China's viral buzzwords
From "Flash Step" to "no heartburn," catchphrases are taking China's internet by storm. People are copying the moves, sharing the jokes, and joining the fun. But there's often more to these viral trends than …
Show notes
From "Flash Step" to "no heartburn," catchphrases are taking China's internet by storm. People are copying the moves, sharing the jokes, and joining the fun. But there's often more to these viral trends than meets the eye. Let's unpack the buzzwords, explore the cultural references, and see what gets lost in translation. On the show: Fei Fei, Yushan & YushunStraight to senior high?
Zhongkao, China's high school entrance exam, is a milestone nearly every Chinese student must face. But now, some cities and counties are weighing a bold idea: let students move straight into senior high …
Show notes
Zhongkao, China's high school entrance exam, is a milestone nearly every Chinese student must face. But now, some cities and counties are weighing a bold idea: let students move straight into senior high school. Could scrapping Zhongkao ease students' academic pressure? And are students, parents, and schools actually ready for such a big change? On the show: Fei Fei, Yushan & YushunWhy does everything have to be at double speed?
Why spend 30 minutes watching a video when you can get the key points in three? With AI doing the reading, summarizing and note-taking for us, information is just a few clicks away. For young people juggling …
Show notes
Why spend 30 minutes watching a video when you can get the key points in three? With AI doing the reading, summarizing and note-taking for us, information is just a few clicks away. For young people juggling classes, work and endless content, that sounds like a dream. But is getting the gist the same as truly understanding a subject? On the show: Fei Fei, Steve & YushunCould Super El Niño hit your wallet?
Has your morning coffee crept up in price again? Picture an ocean thousands of kilometers away, warming toward what may be the strongest El Niño on record. Are the two connected? Not yet, but that heat could …
Show notes
Has your morning coffee crept up in price again? Picture an ocean thousands of kilometers away, warming toward what may be the strongest El Niño on record. Are the two connected? Not yet, but that heat could reach the farms behind your coffee, your chocolate, even the rubber in your tires within months. The people working to soften that blow aren't only meteorologists. They're also negotiators and scientists turning distant forecasts into practical protection for the farmers who grow what we depend on. On the show: Fei Fei, Steve & YushunWoman Hero Yin Yuzhen's story
Meet Yin Yuzhen, China's pioneering desert fighter and the final honoree on the FAO's 100 Women Heroes list. For 40 years, she has fought desertification, transforming not only the landscape but also the lives …
Show notes
Meet Yin Yuzhen, China's pioneering desert fighter and the final honoree on the FAO's 100 Women Heroes list. For 40 years, she has fought desertification, transforming not only the landscape but also the lives of people she has inspired. Among them is American teacher Ronald Salkosky, who reconnected with Yin after more than two decades. What can her story teach us about the power of persistence to change both land and lives? / Would you care about who quietly unfriended you on social media (16:33)? On the show: Fei Fei, Yushan & YushunHow China's advanced manufacturing goes global
A robot makes your latte in under a minute. A Chinese motorcycle takes on the world's best on the racetrack. At the Canton Fair, these are more than eye-catching innovations. They reflect how Chinese …
Show notes
A robot makes your latte in under a minute. A Chinese motorcycle takes on the world's best on the racetrack. At the Canton Fair, these are more than eye-catching innovations. They reflect how Chinese manufacturing is evolving. As Chinese companies move beyond making products to offering complete solutions, how are they stepping up to compete in the global market? On the show: Fei Fei, Yushan & YushunSneakerinas and the slimming of sneakers
Remember when sneakers looked like tiny cars strapped to your feet? Those chunky soles are still around, but they are now sharing shelf space with something slimmer, softer and surprisingly delicate. Think …
Show notes
Remember when sneakers looked like tiny cars strapped to your feet? Those chunky soles are still around, but they are now sharing shelf space with something slimmer, softer and surprisingly delicate. Think ballet ribbons wrapped around rubber soles, pale pink mesh and straps that would not look out of place in a practice studio. Is the sneaker world trading bulk for grace because our feet are tired, or because our eyes are? / Is your office air making you ugly(11:02)? On the show: Steve, Yushun & Yangyang
These are the latest 40 of 378 episodes. You’ll find older episodes in the podcast’s feed.
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