Round Table China
Round Table China
China Plus
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!
IN VIDEO:China's return as a global study hub
A thousand years ago, scholars from across Asia made their way to China to study governance, science, and philosophy. Some even sat for the imperial exams alongside local students. That era eventually faded, and for decades, studying abroad meant one destination: the West. But that map is now being redrawn. So is China becoming a major study destination once again? / The internet's biggest user is no longer human. For the first time, bots generate more traffic. That doesn't mean the web is broken, but it does mean the rules have changed. Advertising, pricing, and even the way we search are all being rebuilt around software, not people. So if the internet was a car built to serve us, what happens when we are no longer the ones driving it (34:58)? On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun 
Aug 7
1 hr 5 min
Video
China's return as a global study hub
A thousand years ago, scholars from across Asia made their way to China to study governance, science, and philosophy. Some even sat for the imperial exams alongside local students. That era eventually faded, and for decades, studying abroad meant one destination: the West. But that map is now being redrawn. So is China becoming a major study destination once again? / The internet's biggest user is no longer human. For the first time, bots generate more traffic. That doesn't mean the web is broken, but it does mean the rules have changed. Advertising, pricing, and even the way we search are all being rebuilt around software, not people. So if the internet was a car built to serve us, what happens when we are no longer the ones driving it (34:58)? On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun
Aug 7
54 min
Abandoned mines, cooler homes
We all reach for the AC when temperatures soar past 35 degrees. But in one Chinese city, residents are trying something different. In Xuzhou, homes are being cooled with cold water pumped from an abandoned coal mine deep underground. No hot exhaust on the streets. No overworked power grid. Just a smart, low-carbon solution that could change how we think about staying cool in a warming world. On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan
Aug 6
17 min
The fun of National Fitness Day
August 8 is National Fitness Day in China, but for millions of people here, staying active has already become a daily habit, from sunrise park goers to late-night gyms, from cycling clubs to square dancing and smart fitness apps. So what actually turns exercise from a chore into something you stick with for life? We explore the habits, mindsets, and unexpected motivations that keep people moving long after the new year's resolutions fade. On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan
Aug 6
34 min
Latest schedule update
No new episode of Round Table in your feed today. We're pausing briefly because we're cooking up something special behind the scenes, and we can't wait to share it with you soon! We'll be back on schedule tomorrow. In the meantime, feel free to revisit our past episodes. Thanks for your patience, and see you tomorrow!
Aug 5
56 sec
Why China's railways won't take your kids alone
China's high speed rail network is the largest in the world, and it is faster and more connected than ever. When parents started asking if they could hand off their children to station staff the way they do with flight attendants, the railway gave a firm answer: no. The decision seemed simple, but the reasoning behind it offers a clear look at how China runs its railways and who it holds responsible for passenger safety. On the show: Fei Fei, Steve & Yushun
Aug 4
20 min
Drawing the line on cyberbullying
In a country with over a billion internet users, a single rumor can outrun the truth before breakfast. Words travel at the speed of a share button, some shared with good intent, others carrying the power to destroy. Now China is drafting its first dedicated anti-cyberbullying law, attempting to draw a clear line between a heated debate and a digital mob. On the show: Fei Fei, Steve & Yushun
Aug 4
31 min
SOAPBOX: Are young people bad at socializing?
The way young people build relationships looks nothing like it used to. A new trend called "Soulmanyships" is replacing the old model of one person meeting every emotional need. Today's generation is spreading their connections across friends, family, and even AI companions. Is this shift creating loneliness or a more honest way to connect? / Heart to Heart - please send your emails audio questions to [email protected] (11:56). On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun
Aug 3
22 min
Summer travel ditches the bucket list
Vacations used to mean crowded monuments and a camera roll full of proof you'd been somewhere. This summer, however, travelers are ditching the bucket list for deeper experiences like music festivals, traditional village stays, and hands-on cultural activities that leave a lasting impression. Why is tourism shifting from sightseeing to genuine connection, and how are cities and rural communities adapting to meet this new demand? On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun
Aug 3
29 min
What makes a city feel like home?
A new survey asked young Chinese migrants what makes a city finally feel like home. The answers had less to do with money or apartments and more to do with something simpler: human connection. But for millions leaving home for school and work, building those bonds is often the hardest part. So what makes some places easier to call home than others? / A dead appliance. A knock on the door. For millions of people living alone in China, that moment can trigger more anxiety than the repair bill ever could. But when the person on the other side is a woman, something changes. All-female repair crews are quietly winning over customers across the country. Not because they fix things faster, but because they bring a sense of ease that starts before they even step inside (35:14). On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan
Jul 31
54 min
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