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!
Latest episodes
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22 min
The Soapbox: when the college allowance gets cut
A freshman's allowance gets slashed mid-semester, setting off a small family negotiation over weekly payments, a trial period, and a bonus tied to exam results. What looks like a s…
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30 min
Can computing cure disease faster?
What if we could understand disease and predict whether a treatment will work before spending years and billions of dollars testing it? China has made computational medicine a nati…
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37 min
Straight to senior high?
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 st…
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22 min
Shanshenbu and more: Decoding China's viral buzzwords
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…
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23 min
Why does everything have to be at double speed?
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…
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30 min
Could Super El Niño hit your wallet?
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? N…
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25 min
Woman Hero Yin Yuzhen's story
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…
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28 min
How China's advanced manufacturing goes global
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…
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21 min
Sneakerinas and the slimming of sneakers
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 sur…
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30 min
When wildlife meets city streets
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 blurri…
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19 min
What are we really buying when we buy bread?
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 label…
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33 min
When a stranger steps in family care
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…
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25 min
From vacation to skillcation
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?…
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28 min
Women shaping rural futures
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…
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17 min
When a concert proposal becomes others' problem
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 shar…
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35 min
Why are the electric bikes getting harder to sell?
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…
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22 min
Soapbox: Disposable fashion
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 i…
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30 min
All about parks
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 al…
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20 min
Bonus: Radio drama The Sound of a City
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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34 min
IN VIDEO: The little loofah that launched an industry
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…