Round Table China

The global erosion of oral traditions continues not for lack of value, but because modern life leaves little room for slow, spoken memory. As languages vanish and elders pass on, entire ways of understanding the world disappear with them. Yet, the revival of Yimakan, from near-extinction to international recognition, demonstrates a powerful alternative. It shows that cultural heritage can survive not by being frozen in the past, but by finding a vital place in the present. / The joy and benefit of being bad at something (17:27). On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Fei Fei

China's aging society is turning to an innovative solution. The Time Bank allows volunteers to earn care credits by helping others today, securing support for their own future needs. This model transforms neighborly help into a sustainable system. How is this modern mutual aid network redefining elder care? On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Fei Fei

When a global metropolis abandons de-icing agents, what happens? Beijing is finding out. To protect its environment, the city is swapping chemicals for manpower, trading spreaders for shovels. How can this modern capital handle winter the old-fashioned way? We examine the high-stakes experiment on Beijing's icy streets. / Is small talk dying (15:05)? On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushun

What if artificial intelligence could step out of the screen and into the real world? This is not just about smarter conversation. This is Embodied Intelligence. Imagine a robot that does not just calculate a chess move, but physically makes it. Not every smart robot qualifies, so what changes when AI gains a physical form? On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushun

For decades, countries have invested heavily in engineering education. Despite this, many still face a persistent problem where graduates are theoretically proficient but lack practical readiness. This gap between academic training and industrial application is not unique to any one nation. China, however, is pursuing a distinct approach through its coordinated national strategy, the Outstanding Engineer training reform. This initiative aims to reshape how engineers are educated, with potential consequences for innovation worldwide./ Motivational Monday (18:41)! On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Fei Fei