Round Table China

Gravity Batteries: A renewable future?

Gift-giving gets personal with WeChat

This podcast episode discusses WeChat's new gift-giving feature, which allows users to send gifts where the recipient chooses the specific item they want. The hosts explore the feature's mechanics, user experience, and cultural implications within China, noting its potential to revolutionize gift-giving but also highl...

Ne Zha 2 hits the 10 billion mark!

Are today's students getting ruder?

This Round Table podcast episode discusses two main topics: increased classroom incivility among students post-pandemic and the optimal way to charge a phone battery. The hosts debate whether a rise in disruptive behaviors is due to pandemic-related factors, cultural differences in classroom expectations (comparing Ca...

Game changer? Bio-filter tackles micoplastics

Home swapping: China's hot travel trend!

This podcast discusses the rising trend of home swapping in China, contrasting it with Airbnb and exploring its appeal among budget-conscious young travelers. The hosts debate the advantages (cost savings, authentic cultural experiences) and concerns (trust, safety) associated with home swapping, referencing the 2006 ...

Light 'em up! It's Lantern Festival time!

This podcast episode discusses the Lantern Festival (Yuan Xiao Jie), celebrated on the 15th day of the first month of the lunar calendar. The hosts and guest explore its significance in Chinese culture, including its origins (multiple legends are presented), traditions (lantern riddles, special foods like Yuan Xiao an...

Fridge Magnets: A cultural collectible craze!

This podcast discusses two trending topics in China: the unexpected popularity of collectible fridge magnets and the resurgence of external smartphone lenses. The hosts and guests analyze the reasons behind these trends, citing examples like the highly sought-after "Phoenix Crown" fridge magnet from the National Museu...

Asian Winter Games: Boosting tourism, shaping futures!

C-stores still expanding, despite slowdown

This podcast episode discusses the growth and challenges facing China's convenience store industry in 2025. The hosts analyze a report showing a decline in expansion plans despite strong 2024 growth, attributing this to increased competition, fluctuating customer flow (especially in colder northern regions), rising op...

Asian Winter Games goes fully green!

Gold rush: Young people embrace jewelry!

This podcast discusses the rising popularity of gold jewelry among young Chinese consumers, despite high gold prices. The hosts explore the reasons behind this trend, citing brand collaborations with anime and gaming IPs as a key factor, alongside the traditional cultural significance of gold and its perceived value a...

Harbin welcomes Asian Winter Games

The mega impact of micro dramas

This podcast discusses China's "Micro Drama Plus" initiative, a plan to integrate short-form dramas (1-10 minutes) into various industries for cultural and economic growth. The hosts and guests explore the initiative's potential benefits, such as promoting tourism and cultural heritage, while also acknowledging concer...

DeepSeek: AI's paradigm shift has arrived!

Getting over the post-Spring Festival blues

This podcast discusses Post-Holiday Syndrome, focusing on the challenges of returning to work after a break and offering strategies to overcome it. The hosts explore the psychological and physical symptoms, discuss the lack of a formal clinical definition, and suggest practical solutions like adjusting sleep schedule...

Spring Festival spending highlights!

This Round Table podcast episode discusses the impact of the 2025 Chinese New Year on the economy, focusing on record-breaking movie box office numbers and travel statistics. The hosts review the performance of several films, noting the success of Ne Zha 2 and Detective Chinatown 4, while also discussing the travel su...

Makin' it in China: A French basketball mentor

This interview podcast features Patrick Regulier, a French basketball trainer with the Zhejiang Lions under-17 team in China. The podcast explores his 16-year career in China, starting with his initial one-year plan that extended to a long-term commitment. He discusses the differences between European and Chinese bas...

CNY Special: Homecoming

This panel discussion explores the significance of family reunions during the Chinese Spring Festival. The hosts and guests discuss the cultural importance of the holiday as a time for homecoming and extensive family gatherings, comparing it to similar holidays in Western cultures like Christmas and Thanksgiving. A s...

Makin' it in China: French BMX coach

This interview podcast features Frederic Moal, a French BMX coach who has made a significant impact on the sport in China. The podcast begins with an introduction to Moal's life and career, tracing his journey from an amateur BMX racer in France to his current role coaching a young team in Guizhou, China. The intervie...