Round Table China

Homes in Chinese cities are getting smarter, with high-tech upgrades ranging from smart speakers to explosion-proof microwaves. We take a look at what's driving market growth and the biggest challenges ahead (01:21). / Beijing has approved the first autonomous driving permits in China. How far away are we from being chauffeured around in driverless cars (25:18)? On the show: Heyang, Ding Heng, Huang Shan & Josh Cotterill

Who would you rather be with when you are under stress (01:41)? / A new social networking app is currently in the news, billed as a positive space for teens to compliment each other. The power of affirmation can do wonders, and it certainly makes people feel good (26:29)! On the show: Heyang, Ningjing, Zhao Ying, Richard Wang & Colin Liu

A few provinces in China are giving professional titles to qualified agricultural workers. What’s the purpose of this move? And will folks sign up (00:59)? / Heart to Heart - please send your audio questions to [email protected] (26:43)! / China’s mental health demands on the rise, but talent shortage persists (42:10). On the show: Heyang, Huang Shan & Li Yi

What are the most popular ways to relax and decompress nowadays? Short videos, sound therapy or maybe impulsive consumption (00:41)? / Why are people so obsessed with jeans (23:37)? / Walking while glued to your phone affects traffic in addition to posing danger for yourself and others (36:36). On the show: Zhao Ying, Huang Shan, Yushun, Fei Fei, Li Yi & Miguel Roberg

Online literature is picking up a new segment of readership in China. Data show that nearly a quarter of those exposed to e-reading are older than 50. Should we be worried if our parents or grandparents become addicted to online literature (00:26)? / Top 10 emojis that reveal your age according to Gen-Z (24:43). / Heart to Heart (43:54). On the show: Zhao Ying, Huang Shan, Josh Cotterill & Miguel Roberg

If you were to go back to, say, 1998, you'd see yourself juggling quite a few gadgets: a digital camera, a CD player, a calculator, a portable DVD player, a big old clunky external hard drive. But now all these gadgets can fit into your pocket. Yes, we're talking about the smartphone. Do you miss any of the things that your smartphone has managed to replace (01:03)? / Bring lunch to work (26:36)/ Overuse of impression management could reduce trust (38:12). On the show: Heyang, Huang Shan & Josh Cotterill

Streaming businesses are also launching theatrical releases for their new products, albeit for relatively shorter runs compared to regular movie titles. What are streaming companies hoping to achieve through this (01:05)? / Technology shines at Qatar World Cup (25:47). / China's ten new measures in COVID responses (44:08). / Motivational Monday (48:20). On the show: Laiming, Joshua Cotterill and Yushun.

Highly sensitive people make up about 15% - 20% of the world population. How to better understand people with a highly sensitive personality? What does it mean exactly both for individuals, organizations and the society (00:38)? / Should industries follow the standing desk trend (24:31)? / Can bike-share apps become successful matchmakers (39:07)? On the show: Zhao Ying, Fei Fei, Li Yi, Huang Shan & Josh Cotterill

Traditional karaoke venues don't seem to be attracting the younger crowd anymore. But it’s too early to say they are really over karaoke, all together. We take a look at the booming online karaoke platforms (01:06)! / The Chinese "dama" has become a term with multiple layers of denotations and connotations. We bring you up to speed on how middle-aged ladies have earned a renewed shine for this title (25:29). / How to overcome "smartphone storage anxiety" (43:45)? On the show: Heyang, Huang Shan, Josh Cotterill & Li Yi

VR technology has grown far beyond its gaming and entertainment roots. What can be the new arenas for future VR applications (00:58)? / How will salary transparency change job recruitment (25:11)? / TikTok expected to thrive in the slowing digital ad sector (43:20). On the show: Li Ningjing, Miguel Roberg & Yushun