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China Plus ยท Lifestyle

Round Table China

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

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Switching careers! The new normal?

26 Aug 2025
30m
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In this episode of Round Table, Heyang, along with Steve and Yushan, explores the increasing trend of industry switching driven by emerging technologies, shifting economies, and evolving personal priorities. They discuss how the concept of a "job for life" is fading, especially among younger generations who prioritize ...

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Smelly noodles, noisy kids? Navigating public space etiquette!

26 Aug 2025
27m
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The Round Table podcast episode explores the increasing clashes between personal choices and collective comfort in shared public spaces, particularly on public transport in China. The discussion is sparked by the banning of instant noodles at some train stations due to their strong smell, and expands to include complai...

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Global tool apps, local challenges

25 Aug 2025
23m
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The Round Table podcast episode discusses the rise and global success of Chinese tool apps, which are lightweight, efficient applications designed to solve specific problems. The hosts explore the evolution of these apps from the "golden era" of 2008-2016 to the current trend of niche apps targeting specific user needs...

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Ancient cough syrup stirs modern buzz

23 Aug 2025
13m
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The Round Table podcast discusses the rising global popularity of Chuanbei Pipa Gao, a 400-year-old Chinese herbal syrup, and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The hosts explore its appeal as a wellness practice and cultural touchstone, noting its presence in various products and its endorsement by celebrities. They ...

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Audio drama: Sweetness on the Plateau

22 Aug 2025
39m
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The podcast "Round Table" presents a special edition featuring an audio drama called "Sweetness on the Plateau," which tells the story of farmers from Shandong Province who travel to Tibet to build greenhouses and grow fresh produce. The drama highlights the challenges they face, including harsh weather conditions and ...

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Why we mourn on the internet

22 Aug 2025
21m
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The Round Table podcast episode explores the phenomenon of sharing personal grief and hardship on social media, questioning whether it provides comfort or becomes a performance. The hosts, Heyang, Steve, and Yushan, discuss cultural differences in online mourning, the motivations behind sharing vulnerable moments, and ...

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Early internships! Advantage or anxiety?

21 Aug 2025
29m
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In this episode of Round Table, Heyang, Steve, and Yushan discuss the increasing trend of Chinese university students engaging in internships as early as their freshman year. They explore the reasons behind this phenomenon, including the competitive job market, companies seeking to build talent pipelines, and students ...

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AI dubbing impacting film industry

21 Aug 2025
26m
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The Round Table podcast episode discusses the transformative potential of AI in the film industry, specifically focusing on AI dubbing technology that can realistically sync lip movements with different languages. While this technology promises to make films more accessible and immersive for global audiences, concerns ...

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When culture transforms communities

20 Aug 2025
25m
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In this episode of Round Table, Steve, Niu Honglin, and Yushun discuss the rise of public cultural spaces in urban areas, particularly in China. These spaces, ranging from 24-hour libraries to art-filled service hubs, aim to enhance community life by integrating cultural elements into everyday environments like subway ...

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Comfort first! Rethinking the bra

20 Aug 2025
18m
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In this episode of Round Table, Heyang, Steve, and Yushan discuss the shift in China's female undergarment industry towards comfort-first, wire-free bras and the evolving definition of "sexy." They explore how marketing, feminism, and social constructs influence women's choices, noting the decline of brands like Victor...

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Water fun starts with safety

19 Aug 2025
32m
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The Round Table podcast episode discusses the serious issue of drowning, particularly among children in China during the summer months. The hosts, Heyang, Steve, and Yushan, highlight alarming statistics, emphasizing that drowning is a leading cause of abnormal death in Chinese children and that the majority of inciden...

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Theme parks shine in summer heat!

19 Aug 2025
22m
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In this episode of Round Table, Heyang, Steve Hatherly, and Yushan discuss theme parks in China, including the opening of the world's largest Legoland in Shanghai and the upcoming Harry Potter Studio Tour. They explore the reasons behind the popularity of theme parks, the business strategies employed, and personal expe...

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2025 Summer: films boom, travel zoom

18 Aug 2025
29m
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In this episode of Round Table, Heyang, along with Steve Hatherly and Yushan, explores China's vibrant summer trends in entertainment, travel, and leisure. They delve into the success of high-quality films, including historical dramas and animations, boosted by ticket subsidies and cultural resonance. The discussion hi...

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The scoop on the ice-cream market

16 Aug 2025
21m
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In this episode of Round Table, Steve Hatherly, along with Niu Honglin and Yushun, delve into the evolving ice cream market, particularly in China and the US. They discuss the shift from expensive "ice cream assassins" to more affordable options, driven by consumers seeking a balance between price and quality. The conv...

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New roadmap for mind-machine innovation

15 Aug 2025
30m
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In this episode of Round Table, Steve Hatherly, along with Niu Honglin and Yushun, discuss China's advancements in Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology, highlighting new national guidelines and ambitious goals for breakthroughs by 2027. The discussion covers the differences between invasive and non-invasive BCIs, ...

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Has the protein obsession gone too far?

15 Aug 2025
18m
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In this episode of Round Table, Heyang, Steve Hatherly, and Fei Fei discuss the protein craze in Western and Chinese diets, examining the marketing tactics, the actual protein needs of the body, and the potential health risks of excessive consumption, while also touching upon the balance of macronutrients. They then sh...

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Lacking trash to burn: problem or progress?

14 Aug 2025
33m
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The Round Table podcast discusses China's waste incineration industry, exploring the issue of waste-to-energy plants operating below capacity despite a history of overflowing landfills. The panel examines the reasons behind this apparent overcapacity, including overzealous infrastructure development, regional dispariti...

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Does your brain read or listen better?

14 Aug 2025
23m
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In this episode of Round Table, Steve Hatherly, Niu Honglin, and Yushun discuss the evolving landscape of reading in the digital age, exploring the differences between reading and listening to books, the impact of technology on reading habits, and the effectiveness of various learning methods. They delve into statistic...

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How Chinese toys became global obsessions

13 Aug 2025
28m
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In this episode of Round Table, Steve Hatherly, along with Niu Honglin and Yushan, discusses the global phenomenon of Chinese designer toys, particularly focusing on the popular Le Boo Boo from Pop Mart. They explore the reasons behind their success, including social media influence, celebrity endorsements, clever mark...

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Group live streams dance into spotlight

13 Aug 2025
19m
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In this episode of Round Table, Heyang, Steve, and Yushan discuss two main topics: the rising trend of "Tuanbo" or group live-streaming in China's live-stream economy, and the "Gen Z gaze," a complaint about young service workers in the U.S. who give a blank stare instead of offering a greeting. The discussion on Tuanb...

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