Round Table China

Shanshenbu and more: Decoding China's viral buzzwords

Straight to senior high?

The Zhongkao, China’s high school entrance exam, serves as a critical, high-pressure selection point for 15-year-olds, determining their path toward academic high schools or vocational training. Recent pilot programs in regions like Songzi County and Chengdu are experimenting with 12-year integrated education systems t...

Why does everything have to be at double speed?

The modern digital landscape increasingly favors speed over depth, as evidenced by the widespread adoption of double-speed playback and AI-generated content summaries. Nearly two-thirds of university students now consume dramas and educational materials at accelerated rates, driven by the pressure to maximize productiv...

Could Super El Niño hit your wallet?

Woman Hero Yin Yuzhen's story

Yin Yuzhen’s four-decade commitment to combating desertification in China’s Maosu Desert earned her recognition as a final honoree on the FAO’s 100 Women Heroes list. Her journey, which began in 1985, transformed barren land into a thriving forest of over 8 million trees. This environmental achievement is underscored b...

How China's advanced manufacturing goes global

The 140th Canton Fair marks a pivotal shift in Chinese manufacturing, moving beyond simple product exports toward delivering comprehensive, integrated solutions. Manufacturers are increasingly prioritizing systems that combine hardware, software, and services to address specific market needs, such as elderly care and i...

Sneakerinas and the slimming of sneakers

When wildlife meets city streets

The boundary between urban infrastructure and natural habitats is dissolving as wildlife increasingly integrates into Chinese cities. This phenomenon stems from improved ecological conditions, such as expanded green spaces and better sanitation, which inadvertently create hospitable environments for diverse species. Wh...

What are we really buying when we buy bread?

When a stranger steps in family care

Paid medical companionship has emerged as a vital service in China, addressing the challenges elderly patients face navigating complex, digitized hospital environments. With 23% of the population aged 60 or older, many families struggle to balance work commitments with the frequent hospital visits required for their ag...

From vacation to skillcation

Skillcations, a growing travel trend blending vacations with intensive skill acquisition, are replacing traditional sightseeing for many, particularly Gen Z. Instead of passive relaxation, travelers are dedicating their time to mastering activities like pottery, surfing, martial arts, or traditional crafts. Data indica...

Women shaping rural futures

When a concert proposal becomes others' problem

A viral video of a couple proposing during a Beijing concert has ignited a heated debate regarding the boundaries of public romantic gestures. While the couple intended to share their joy by standing for five minutes and tossing candy, the act drew intense backlash from attendees who felt their paid concert experience ...

Why are the electric bikes getting harder to sell?

Soapbox: Disposable fashion

Disposable clothing, or "throwaway outfits," has gained traction among young travelers who purchase inexpensive, low-quality garments specifically for vacation photos. These items often cost between 20 and 80 yuan and are discarded after a single use because they lack the durability for daily wear. This trend stems fro...

All about parks

Bonus: Radio drama The Sound of a City

Beijing’s 12345 Citizen Service Hotline serves as a vital bridge between residents' daily concerns and the city's administrative response mechanisms. By transforming fragmented complaints into actionable data, operators ensure that diverse urban challenges—ranging from structural building repairs and public accessibili...

IN VIDEO: The little loofah that launched an industry

The loofah, a versatile member of the cucumber family, has evolved from a simple garden vegetable into a multi-billion yuan global industry. While young loofahs are consumed as food, mature specimens are harvested for their durable fibers, which are processed into household scrubbers, shoe insoles, and pet toys. This e...

World Sight Day: China's fight against myopia

Childhood myopia in China has reached critical levels, with nearly half of all students affected, prompting a shift toward systemic, school-based prevention strategies. Rather than relying solely on individual discipline, schools are implementing extended 15-minute breaks, prioritizing physical education, and conductin...

Faraway places and county towns: How China traveled this National Day holiday