Beyond the lecture halls, a new campus ecosystem thrives online. Student we-media creators are building their brands from dorm rooms, navigating the pull of academic demands against the allure of digital fame. Their growing follower counts bring a hidden calculus of costs that weighs on their studies, their mental well-being, and the quiet of shared living spaces. / Motivational Monday (18:24)! On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun
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 redefine not only its own technological frontier, but the entire global digital landscape. On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun
Viral memes and opaque online phrases now weave through classroom discussions and office conversations. While educators note distracted students and parents fret over shrinking vocabularies, linguists point to the gradual fading of nuance in everyday speech. As abbreviated expressions increasingly stand in for complex thought, we are left to wonder what is ultimately lost when shortcuts replace substance. / Round Table's Happy Place (17:22)! On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Yushun
Humanoid robots are capturing global attention, moving from Shanghai's assembly lines to viral videos out of Silicon Valley. Yet for every genuine breakthrough, a cleverly engineered demo seems designed solely for investor buzz. With China pushing for mass production by 2025 and global rivals close behind, the world is waiting to see when these machines will finally become a practical part of our daily lives. On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Yushun
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 on ghost kitchens, a significant move for consumer safety and market transparency. / Is cash cringe (15:56)? On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun
The rise of EVs in China is accelerating an automotive design revolution. While innovations such as frunks and zero-gravity seats redefine the cabin experience, they simultaneously ignite a critical global debate concerning their inherent safety implications. On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun
Heart to Heart - please send your audio questions to roundtablepodcast@qq.com. / 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 has blossomed into one of China's most dynamic food trends, captivating far more than just vegetarians. From students to CEOs, a growing movement is embracing lighter, greener meals (09:41). On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Laiming
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 deliberate slowdown. With new regulations taking effect this autumn, the focus has shifted from explosive growth to long-term stability. The Chinese Athletics Association is prioritizing safety and professionalism over sheer speed, leaving the entire industry to wonder what happens when an economy built on momentum is suddenly told to slow down. On the ...
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 in April and has now expanded to 40 stations and 50 trains, allowing cats and dogs to travel on their own. So, are you ready to plan a great trip for your furry friend? / Is a“desk lunch”a sad lunch (12:06)? On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Xingyu
Seventeen years after its debut, China's Double Eleven shopping festival no longer roars with the same frenzy of flashing deals and sleepless nights. E-commerce platforms are now focusing inward to optimize their operations with AI and instant retail. At the same time, they are expanding outward into global markets. The race has transformed from one about the loudest promotions to one about the most durable and efficient logistics. On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Xingyu
The family group chat has entered its awkward phase. Designed for connection, it now often manufactures obligation, leading to a wave of quiet mutinies. This isn't a breakdown of family ties, but a user-led revolt against a platform that demands too much. The lesson? In the 21st century, setting a digital boundary is becoming a vital form of care. / Motivational Monday (18:37)! On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun
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 converge to pursue glory, the Games themselves are redefining tradition. Prepare for a spectacle where cutting-edge technology meets sustainable design, and where the competition program expands with thrilling new events. This is more than a tournament; it's a dynamic new vision for the future of sport. On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun
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 presentations and talked you down from professional despair. Perhaps the true purpose of the modern workplace is to provide you with a platonic life partner. After all, once someone has seen the real, unfiltered you at your worst, they may have already earned the role of your most permanent plus-one. / The great salt debate (14:01). On the show: Steve...
Recent media reports identify Shanghai's elderly as a major mall consumer group. This often-overlooked demographic now dominates weekday foot traffic, pushing retailers to design spaces and services that appeal to both older and younger generations. On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun
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 are quietly transforming how we eat. They are fast, consistent, and never need a break. But as algorithms take over the wok, the future of the human touch in cooking hangs in the balance. The subtle intuition of a seasoned chef and the warm connection between cook and eater are now what's on the line. / The down dilemma: decoding price, quality, and...
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 engage directly with a culture that captivates them. This grassroots movement is fundamentally about people seeking new forms of community and understanding. Behind this linguistic boom lies a deeper story, one about curiosity, identity, and the power of culture to bridge worlds. On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Ding Heng
China now has more than 125 million one-person households, fueling the rapid growth of the solo dining market. Restaurants are responding with mini hotpots and partitioned barbecue seats, designed for a generation seeking both efficiency and a personal dining experience. This trend tells a larger story about evolving family structures and new consumption habits, revealing how businesses are adapting to serve a more individualized society. / Gold panning tourism (15:18)! On the show: Niu Honglin,...
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 streamlined customs, debut products, and sustainable innovations, the Expo weaves a compelling narrative of connection, not isolation, as the true engine of prosperity in our uncertain times. On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Yushan
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 can quietly unravel, demanding far more than you ever intended to give. Instead of saving resources, the process often consumes them in unexpected ways, leaving you with a different outcome than the one you first imagined. / Exploring “day-off shame” in modern workplaces (11:59). On the show: Steve, Yushun & Xingyu
For students in China, the high-pressure race toward the "Zhongkao" defines their early youth. Now, a pilot program in Chengdu is eliminating this decisive high school entrance exam for some students. The radical move promises relief from an immense academic burden, aiming to give students back their childhoods. Yet without this single, universal benchmark, some wonder if the path to a bright future has become clearer or far more uncertain. On the show: Steve, Yushun & Xingyu
Digital resurrection has arrived, but its ethics are dangerously unclear. The recent use of a recreated scholar to promote tea brought about a question that didn't exist a decade ago. Is this a legitimate tribute, or a commercial exploitation of the dead? The urgent question is no longer can we do this, but should we? / Motivational Monday (17:07)! On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun
The 'Curse of 35,' a notorious career barrier, is officially under attack. In a major policy reversal, the government has lifted the age restriction for its civil service exams. This is a direct message to the nation's experienced workforce: you are not obsolete. The move now puts the ball in corporate China's court. Will they answer the call? On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun
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 screen can help you fight the monsters in your mind, revealing what a haunted house or a zombie apocalypse can teach your brain about calm. There's a surprising link between terror and tranquility! / Round Table's Happy Place (20:21)! On the show: Steve, Yushun & Xingyu
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 optimism to transform the ambitious theme of "Building a Sustainable Tomorrow" into a tangible reality for the entire Asia-Pacific. On the show: Steve, Yushun & Xingyu
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 pot you ordered, but for every single seat at your table? This is the unexpected charge sparking debate and leaving diners surprised at restaurants in certain areas of China. What would you do if you found it on your bill?/ Heart to Heart - please send your audio questions to roundtablepodcast@qq.com (14:58). On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Yus...
Today on our special APEC Youth Series, we're joined by two distinguished voices: Chen Xiaobin, a 2025 APEC Summit delegate for young entrepreneurs and Vice Chair of the Asia-Pacific Entrepreneurs Annual Forum; and Laura Nguyen, Founding Partner at GenAI Fund and Head of Vietnam for Ava Labs. They share their unique perspectives on the critical intersection of technology and sustainability. On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Yushan
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 honor those who came before and to look ahead to the future we are building together. Today, as China grows older and wiser, aging is no longer a distant topic concerning our grandparents. From national strategies to smart robots, from young caregivers to digital helpers, we explore how silver and youth can shine together. On the show: Niu Honglin, ...
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 young changemakers who are redefining "development" across the region. For our first conversation, Round Table's Niu Honglin is joined by Lv Xiaoning, co-founder of the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurs Annual Forum. On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Yushan
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 and move on, others keep replaying for higher scores to unlock better loot—like jobs or scholarships. So, is this drive for a high score a genuine passion for improvement, or just academic FOMO? / To thank or not to thank AI (14:28)? On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Yushan
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 hair weave tales of labor, reinvention, and pride. We explore how lives are being changed, starting from the top. On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Yushan
