Round Table China

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 straight into senior high school. Could scrapping Zhongkao ease students' academic pressure? And are students, parents, and schools actually ready for such a big change? On the show: Fei Fei, Yushan & Yushun

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 to these viral trends than meets the eye. Let's unpack the buzzwords, explore the cultural references, and see what gets lost in translation. On the show: Fei Fei, Yushan & Yushun

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. For young people juggling classes, work and endless content, that sounds like a dream. But is getting the gist the same as truly understanding a subject? On the show: Fei Fei, Steve & Yushun

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? Not yet, but that heat could reach the farms behind your coffee, your chocolate, even the rubber in your tires within months. The people working to soften that blow aren't only meteorologists. They're also negotiators and scientists turning distant forecasts into practical protection for the farmers who grow what we depend on. On the show: Fei Fei, Steve & Yushun

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 landscape but also the lives of people she has inspired. Among them is American teacher Ronald Salkosky, who reconnected with Yin after more than two decades. What can her story teach us about the power of persistence to change both land and lives? / Would you care about who quietly unfriended you on social media (16:33)? On the show: Fei Fei, Yushan & Yushun

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 reflect how Chinese manufacturing is evolving. As Chinese companies move beyond making products to offering complete solutions, how are they stepping up to compete in the global market? On the show: Fei Fei, Yushan & Yushun

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 blurring in real time. Why is this happening now, and what is pulling these creatures closer? Is it a sign of environmental progress or the early stage of a collision waiting to happen? On the show: Steve, Yushun & Yangyang

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 surprisingly delicate. Think ballet ribbons wrapped around rubber soles, pale pink mesh and straps that would not look out of place in a practice studio. Is the sneaker world trading bulk for grace because our feet are tired, or because our eyes are? / Is your office air making you ugly(11:02)? On the show: Steve, Yushun & Yangyang

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 screen that only takes a phone they don't have. For you, it's a hospital visit. For them, it's an obstacle course with no map. Now imagine a stranger walks up and plays the role of the son or daughter who isn't there — for a few hours, for a fee. Is that a solution, or a symptom of something bigger? And can family really be rented by the hour? On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Junya

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 labels mean almost nothing. The prices don't make sense. "Fresh" might be the most meaningless word in the bakery. And what's actually inside that beautifully packaged loaf? Bread is simple — buying it isn't. This season, we're finding out what you're really paying for. On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Junya