Round Table China

Crafting a '15-minute' employment service circle

Discovering Guizhou: The Guitar Fanatic

In this episode of Round Table, Niu Honglin, Laiming, and Yushan broadcast from a guitar museum in Guizhou province, China, discussing the local guitar industry in Zheng'an County. They explore the county's emergence as a major guitar manufacturing hub, producing one-seventh of the world's guitars in just over a decade...

Discovering Guizhou: The Red Hot recipe

In this episode of Round Table, Niu Honglin, Laiming, and Yushan broadcast from a dry pepper market in Zunyi, Guizhou Province, China, as part of their "China Horizon" series. They explore the region's deep connection to chili peppers, discussing the history, cultivation, and economic impact of the pepper industry in G...

Discovering Guizhou: Miao culture extravaganza

In this episode of Round Table, Niu Honglin, along with Yushan, Fei Fei, and Laiming, broadcast from Guizhou province as part of their "ChinaHorizons" series, which aims to uncover stories from smaller towns across China. They discuss Guizhou's transformation from a geographically challenging and isolated region to a m...

Enthusiasm through the roof for 'Su Chao'!

In this episode of Round Table, Heyang, Steve Hatherly, and Yang Guang discuss Su Chao, the Jiangsu Football City League, highlighting its unique appeal as an amateur league that has captured widespread attention and boosted local economies. They explore the league's popularity, the mix of amateur and limited professio...

All eyes on Gaokao 2025

Bikes, gear & glory

In this episode of Round Table, Heyang, Steve Hatherly, and Gao Junya discuss the resurgence of cycling in China as a fitness trend and lifestyle statement, highlighting the associated consumption and the evolving culture around the sport, including specialized services and social media influence. They also explore the...

Restore the beauty of rivers & lakes

Everyone's obsessed with Labubu!

In this episode of Round Table, Heyang, Yushun, and Steve Hatherly discuss the global craze surrounding "ugly-cute" toys like Labubu and Jellycat, exploring their appeal to young adults as collectibles and fashion statements, fueled by blind box marketing strategies, celebrity endorsements, and social media influence. ...

Why don't we recycle our old phones?

The Round Table podcast episode discusses the issue of low mobile phone recycling rates despite a large number of unused phones in China. The hosts explore reasons why people hold onto old phones, including potential future use, sentimental value, and lack of awareness about recycling options. They highlight the enviro...

Low-fat lies: Do diet meals work?

In this episode of Round Table, Heyang, Yushun, and Steve Hatherly discuss the illusion of health in convenience store diet meals, exploring hidden calories and misleading labels that can sabotage weight loss plans. They examine target customers, the inaccuracy of calorie counts, and the cultural preference for hot mea...

The sneaky cost of selling online

The Round Table podcast episode discusses China's draft guidelines aimed at regulating fees charged by online transaction platforms. The hosts analyze the potential impact on merchants, particularly small and medium-sized businesses, who often face unclear pricing, complex calculation methods, and a lack of transparenc...

Managing up in the office

The Round Table podcast features Heyang, Yushun, and Bob Jones discussing "managing up," a work strategy focused on improving communication with one's boss to create a beneficial partnership, while emphasizing authenticity and avoiding manipulation. They explore its origins, potential pitfalls, and the importance of un...

Gap year stigma?

In this episode of Round Table, Heyang, along with Yushun and Bob Jones, discusses the growing trend of adult gap years in China and the challenges individuals face when re-entering the workforce. They explore the stigma associated with taking time off, contrasting international perspectives with the Chinese job market...

Children's theater: The art of becoming

The Roundtable podcast episode features Heyang, Steve Hatherly, and Yu Shun discussing children's theater in China, highlighting its integration into the national curriculum and its benefits for children's confidence, empathy, and self-expression. They explore the evolution of children's theater, including adaptations ...

Dragon Boat Festival's traditions and treats!

Cue sports strike back in the digital era

In this episode of Round Table, Steve Hatherly, along with Niu Honglin and Laiming, discuss two main topics: the resurgence of cue sports in China, spurred by the success of snooker player Zhao Xintong, and the debate over escalator etiquette. The hosts explore the history, market trends, and cultural shifts influencin...

Mobile money erases China's ATMs

Could the 2.5-day weekend become reality?

In this episode of Round Table, Steve, Yushan, and Niu Honglin discuss the implementation of a 2.5-day weekend policy being tested in several Chinese cities, exploring its potential benefits for work-life balance and the economy, as well as the challenges of its execution across different industries and the varying pub...

Free preschool for China's children?