Round Table China

This is an encore episode of Round Table. Official data shows that arable land in China has dropped by 7.53 million hectares in ten years. Will this affect food security? / Coming up with high-yielding domestic soybean varieties. / Heart to Heart - please send your audio questions to [email protected].

It's China's National Day, and today marks the first day of a holiday week, ready to start ticking-off that holiday bucket list? Here's what everybody else is doin'! / A recent US poll has found that many American workers prefer to be paid every day, instead of on a single pay day. What's the reasoning behind this change of preference? / Why have young people gone nuts about walnuts?

Take a look at your mobile phone or smartphone. How long have you stuck with it? 1 month? 5 months? A year or more? We try to find out the ideal replacement rate of smartphones. / Takeout franchises of tea and coffee are extra hot right now! Why is this? / Do you agree that we eat and drink with our eyes? We take you to explore the colors in the world of food.

Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Recycling is an important part of environmental action, but what happens to our recycled materials? We walk you through Recycling 101. / Can internet sensation bookstores ever make a profit by selling books? / People are already worried about spending money prior to the upcoming Chinese National day holiday week a.k.a. wedding week. Is there any way to stop this financial hemorrhage?

With growing environmental awareness, does fast fashion still have a place in our wardrobe? We take a look at the multibillion dollar retail enigma that may upend the global fashion industry. / Are offline murder mystery games promoting violence? / Heart to Heart - please send your audio questions to [email protected]

Electric bicycles and scooters are an important and convenient mode of transportation. But when batteries are not charged properly, it becomes a major fire hazard, taking lives and causing property damage. How to stop e-bike infernos before they break out? / A robot animal might be the most efficient, cleanest, responsible pet of the future. But will robo dogs be the "pawfect" replacement for real-life furry friends? / Motivational Monday!

We examine the reality facing older migrants—the relatively older people who leave the town where they have lived their entire lives and move to a different city to look for work or help take care of their grandchildren. What are their living conditions? / Where in a city can people cry with grace? / Whom do college students usually thank in their dissertation acknowledgements?

China has undertaken a major reform of bulk-buying for key pharmaceuticals and medical supplies in recent years in a bid to make healthcare more affordable. The latest reports suggest that the cost of artificial joints will become vastly cheaper for patients as a result. / Can music-themed towns revitalize rural areas in China? / Why do we have our best ideas while in the shower?

The disruption caused by technological progress and the coronavirus pandemic is causing obvious employment anxiety, particularly among older workers. They fear that younger and cheaper manpower—or worse, robots—could take their places. But could there be jobs that favor seasoned professionals over younger workers? / Why are many bookkeeping and budgeting apps struggling so badly? / Plus, why "Drunk in Love" is earning some frowns from young people.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is finally here. Most people in China get the day off during this traditional public holiday. So how are you spending your Mid-Autumn Festival holiday? / In what ways is an interruption from work beneficial? / Heart to Heart—please send your audio questions to [email protected].