Round Table China

Episodes

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  Straight to senior high? 23.10.2026 37m

  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 & Yushun
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  Shanshenbu and more: Decoding China's viral buzzwords 23.10.2026 21m

  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 & Yushun
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  Why does everything have to be at double speed? 22.10.2026 22m

  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 & Yushun
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  Could Super El Niño hit your wallet? 22.10.2026 29m

  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 & Yushun
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  Woman Hero Yin Yuzhen's story 20.10.2026 24m

  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 & Yushun
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  How China's advanced manufacturing goes global 20.10.2026 28m

  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 & Yushun
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  When wildlife meets city streets 19.10.2026 30m

  Across China, wildlife keeps turning up in places built for people, from shops and streets to parks after dark. The line between the built environment and the natural one is blurring in real time. Why is this happening now, and what is pulling these creatures closer? Is it a sign of environmental progress or the early stage of a collision waiting to happen? On the show: Steve, Yushun & Yangyang
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  Sneakerinas and the slimming of sneakers 19.10.2026 20m

  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
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  When a stranger steps in family care 16.10.2026 32m

  Picture an elderly person standing alone in the lobby of a major Chinese hospital — staring at a check-in machine they've never used, a queue they can't find the end of, a payment screen that only takes a phone they don't have. For you, it's a hospital visit. For them, it's an obstacle course with no map. Now imagine a stranger walks up and plays the role of the son or daughter who isn't there — for a few hours, for a fee. Is that a solution, or a symptom of something bigger? And can family really be rented by the hour? On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Junya
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  What are we really buying when we buy bread? 16.10.2026 18m

  Two loaves sit side by side in the bread aisle. They look basically identical — but one says "artisan," one says "traditional," one is frozen, one is "freshly baked," and the labels mean almost nothing. The prices don't make sense. "Fresh" might be the most meaningless word in the bakery. And what's actually inside that beautifully packaged loaf? Bread is simple — buying it isn't. This season, we're finding out what you're really paying for. On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Junya
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  From vacation to skillcation 15.10.2026 24m

  Welcome to the skillcation, a holiday built around learning something new. And Gen Z travelers are embracing this trend. So why is Gen Z trading poolside naps for hands-on lessons? And what makes learning a skill part of the vacation experience? On the show: Fei Fei, Yushun & Yushan
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  Women shaping rural futures 15.10.2026 27m

  The UN Food and Agriculture Organization has honored 100 Woman Farmer Heroes from around the world, including two from China. With 2026 marking the International Year of the Woman Farmer, we bring you their stories and explore how women are making a difference in agriculture, rural communities, and far beyond. On the show: Fei Fei, Yushun & Yushan
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  When a concert proposal becomes others' problem 13.10.2026 16m

  A concert proposal meant to be romantic. But instead, it sparked outrage. In Beijing, a couple's onstage engagement blocked fans' views and triggered a viral debate. When does sharing your joy come at someone else's expense? And who gets to draw the line? On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun
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  Why are the electric bikes getting harder to sell? 13.10.2026 34m

  China's electric bikes are everywhere, carrying commuters, deliveries, and even entire families. But new rules are changing who rides them, who sells them, and how they're made. Is the beloved "little electric donkey" still the affordable workhorse we know, or is it heading for a whole new future? On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun
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  Soapbox: Disposable fashion 12.10.2026 22m

  What if fashion were made to be worn just once? In China, some young travelers are embracing "disposable clothes", cheap outfits designed to look good in photos, not to last. Why is this trend taking off? And what does it reveal about how we shop and what we value? On the show: Fei Fei, Yushan & Yushun
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  All about parks 12.10.2026 30m

  Everyone loves a park. It's an oasis to relax, recharge, and reconnect with nature. How can cities make them both accessible and sustainable? Beyond urban green spaces, China is also building a national park system to protect nature outside of cities. What makes national parks different from the parks in our neighborhoods? What does it take to protect nature on such a vast scale? On the show: Fei Fei, Yushan & Yushun
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  Bonus: Radio drama The Sound of a City 10.10.2026 20m

  Round Table presents The Sound of a City, an original audio drama from CGTN Radio. The story is inspired by real cases handled through Beijing's 12345 Citizen Service Hotline.
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  IN VIDEO: The little loofah that launched an industry 09.10.2026 34m

  You've probably used one to scrub a pan. Maybe you've even worn one on your feet or found it hiding in a skincare product. But the loofah is far more than a bathroom staple. It is the backbone of an industry that spans provinces, employs thousands, and ships products around the world. What does its rise tell us about how rural areas in China is reinventing itself? On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yu Bokun.
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  The little loofah that launched an industry 09.10.2026 33m

  You've probably scrubbed a pan with one. You could even have worn one on your feet or found it hiding in a skincare product. But the loofah is far more than a bathroom staple. It is the backbone of an industry that spans provinces, employs thousands, and ships products around the world. What does its rise tell us about how rural areas in China is reinventing itself? On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yu Bokun.
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  World Sight Day: China's fight against myopia 08.10.2026 22m

  Long school hours, more screen time and less time outdoors are putting young eyes under pressure. But protecting children's vision may take more than limiting screens. From class breaks and PE to stronger parent-school cooperation, we check on how China is changing daily routines help protect children's sight? On the show: Fei Fei, Yushan & Xingyu