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 roundtablepodcast@qq.com. Let the fun begin!
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 roundtablepodcast@qq.com. Let the fun begin!
Episodes
Mentioned books
21 snips
Feb 12, 2026 • 27min
Urban stayers cash in on Spring Festival
Workers skip hometown trips to staff logistics, security, catering and temple fairs during Spring Festival. Cities run organized gig markets, warm-winter recruitment drives and 24-hour support hubs. Firms arrange holiday meals and care for on-duty staff. New digital RMB smart contracts and local training programs speed hiring and secure pay.
16 snips
Feb 11, 2026 • 23min
Frigid camping is sizzling hot!
They explore extreme winter camping as a booming leisure trend, from huge tent carnivals to long-distance travelers chasing icy experiences. Modern gear like self-powered heaters and stove-jack tents that make -30°C livable gets explained. They also dig into the surprising hotel practice of placing four pillows on beds and how bedding tricks boost comfort and bookings.
15 snips
Feb 11, 2026 • 30min
Trucks, streams, and holiday delivery dreams
Spring Festival shopping has shifted from crowded markets to livestreams and overnight delivery. The episode explores how logistics cope with the holiday rush and the rise of immersive online sales. It examines changing gift trends, from snacks to smart appliances, and the mounting concern over packaging waste. Policy and tech efforts toward greener delivery are also discussed.
16 snips
Feb 10, 2026 • 22min
The marketing magic of telling people 'no'
They explore dissuasive marketing: why saying no can sharpen appeal. They unpack exclusivity, the velvet rope effect, and brands that grew by pushing people away. Case studies include Patagonia’s bold campaign and Liquid Death’s anti-marketing tactics. They also dive into the afternoon energy slump and a quick quiz about what people would do with unlimited energy.
8 snips
Feb 10, 2026 • 30min
The modern twist on a traditional holiday
Technology joins Spring Festival rituals with robot cleaners, voice-enabled vacuums, and stair-climbing machines. Apps deliver festive feasts and door-to-cook services bring chefs to your home. The rise of professional organizers, gig work and a 'lazy economy' reshapes cleaning, cooking and how people choose to outsource tradition.
23 snips
Feb 9, 2026 • 23min
Say goodbye to the hidden door handle
They debate China’s new law forcing mechanically operable car door handles and why hidden electronic handles pose risks in crashes and power failures. They cover the crash-test data showing failures, how automakers and owners are responding, and whether upgrades and regulations will spread globally. The conversation also explores design trends, safety tradeoffs, and policy vs incentive approaches to fix no-shows and reservation systems.
8 snips
Feb 9, 2026 • 29min
Let the 2026 Winter Games begin!
A look at how China is building a medal machine through strategic team planning and next-gen tech. Discussion covers new Winter Games events and a massive, diverse delegation. Behind-the-scenes broadcasting innovations like AI replays, drones and mobile production get attention. The conversation also touches on athlete gear advances and how success fuels public participation.
21 snips
Feb 6, 2026 • 30min
Bathe, chill, eat, repeat
A look at reinvented bathhouses turned 24-hour lifestyle hubs with dining, sleep pods and private workspaces. Seniors forming esports teams and finding new social purpose. An airplane hospital pilot bringing surgical care and 5G telemedicine to remote regions. Scientists editing tomatoes to restore flavor while keeping durability.
12 snips
Feb 6, 2026 • 27min
Skiing where snow never falls
A deep dive into massive indoor ski mountains built in warm southern China. They explore how malls become multi-use snow hubs with skiing, hot pot dining and hotels. The conversation covers rapid venue growth, youth training programs and the economic and energy challenges of making snow where it never falls.
5 snips
Feb 5, 2026 • 22min
Is your toothpaste lying to you?
They dig into sensational claims that toothpaste can regrow enamel and whether the science supports those promises. They unpack regulatory probes and how marketing and social media drive sales. They explain what remineralization actually does and why toothpaste cannot structurally repair teeth. They discuss clinical risks from overhyped ads and why people skip dentists for convenient fixes.
