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
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.
24 snips
Feb 5, 2026 • 31min
The new blueprint for a child-safe internet
A deep look at China’s new nationwide rules reshaping apps and platforms for under-18s. Discussion covers why regulators moved now and how pervasive online life molds young people. They unpack categories of risky content, platform duties like visibility limits and labeling, algorithm changes and AI controls for minors. The conversation surveys global parallels and the phased path from strict enforcement to digital literacy.
24 snips
Feb 4, 2026 • 24min
The tale of the tasteless tomato
They dig into why supermarket tomatoes often taste like water and how lost aromas and sugar–acid imbalance caused the decline. The trade-offs between durability, transportability and flavor get examined. China’s use of gene editing, local breeding, and seed investment to boost sweetness while keeping yields is highlighted. Regional solutions and preserving genetic diversity are discussed.
22 snips
Feb 4, 2026 • 29min
Airborne answer to healthcare gaps
A converted C909 airplane serving as a flying hospital brings ENT and eye surgeries to remote tarmacs. Conversation covers the plane’s evolution from clinic flights to a class one sterile operating cabin. They describe onboard tech like OCT, endoscopes, AR training and 5G for diagnostics and remote consults. Discussion also covers logistics, local training, costs and scalability challenges.
39 snips
Feb 3, 2026 • 28min
Your shopping receipt is now a paycheck
China is turning ordinary shopping receipts into a tool to boost spending and catch tax evasion through lottery-style and digital invoices. The episode breaks down new 2026 pilot rules, QR-coded payouts, and which provinces get extra slots. It also explores the science of being 'hangry' and simple strategies to calm a low-glucose brain.
30 snips
Feb 3, 2026 • 31min
How Beijing won back its sky
Beijing's shift from smog-choked skies to reliably cleaner air is explored through policy milestones and data. The 2013 action plan, coal-to-electric heating conversions, and mass vehicle retirements are highlighted. Regional coordination with Hebei and Tianjin and the rise of new energy vehicles get attention. Technology, real-time monitoring and future WHO-aligned targets close the conversation.
8 snips
Feb 2, 2026 • 26min
Is your grandma a gamer?
A look at the rise of communal “admin night” sessions for chores and focus, and why they appeal as companionship and productivity tools. A surprising dive into seniors in China turning gaming into competitive teams, training, and a new kind of retirement pursuit. Discussion touches on industry support, accessibility changes, and how experience can offset reflex limits.
34 snips
Feb 2, 2026 • 26min
What makes a house a good house?
A look at China’s shift from building more homes to building better ones. Officials’ four pillars of a good house — safety, comfort, green and smart — get unpacked. Practical changes like higher ceilings, mandatory elevators and aging-friendly features are explored. Design tweaks tackle lone households, noise issues and making neighborhoods more walkable.
14 snips
Jan 30, 2026 • 25min
Knit happens: the stitching comeback
A revival of knitting among Gen Z and millennials becomes a viral cultural trend with livestreams, meetups, and DIY designer fashion. Discussion of knitting as craft, micro-economy, and a stress-relief practice during commutes and at work. Short takes on wedding e-invites, privacy trade-offs, micro-shifting work rhythms, and subways turning into lifestyle and shopping spaces.
