The midweek work break

What happens when a 24-year-old tech worker walks away from her desk job... and into a room where strangers ask her to wash them? On the International Workers' Day, we bring you "Bathing," a radio drama about the work nobody sees and the dignity everybody needs.

Have you imagined your career in five years? This International Workers' Day, we examine human value in the age of automation. Who loses ground and who finds an unexpected path? The jobs that last might surprise you, because digital skills only go so far. The real advantage is something slower, messier, and deeply human. On the show: Fei Fei, Niu Honglin & Steve

What if perfection is boring? A Chinese reality show is putting that question to the test live on air. No retouches. No second takes. Just glorious, awkward, unfiltered authenticity. When did we stop wanting perfection and start wanting someone who sounds exactly like the rest of us? / Awake at night? Don't check the time (13:50) On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan

The May Day holiday is nearly upon us, but the booking trends and flight maps tell a different story this year. It's not just where people are going, but how they're thinking about travel altogether. The old rules of a "good vacation" don't seem to apply anymore. Because behind this diverse and more accessible tourism is a safety net, one that's giving people the confidence to truly explore the country, on their own terms. On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan

For decades, rest followed a simple rhythm: work hard all week, recover on the weekend. But that old pattern no longer fits how people actually live and work. Now a quiet new behavior is emerging. Young professionals are subtly reclaiming a few hours in the middle of the week, carving out rest where none officially exists. / Viral diets: Shortcut or risk (17:24)? On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Gao Junya

At a time when many parts of the world are raising trade barriers, one major economy is moving in the opposite direction. China's decision to remove tariffs on imports from 53 African countries is making a clear statement about openness, partnership, and the future of global supply chains. On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Gao Junya

One partner here, the other there. Different cities for some. Separate homes in the same crowded metro for others. And strangely, they all say the distance keeps them together. Is planned weekend intimacy the future of love, or just a slow goodbye? / Would you give up your lunch break to go home early (14:02)? On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan

One of the biggest auto shows in history is happening right now in Beijing, with nearly 1,500 vehicles and over 180 world premieres. But this isn't just about shiny new models. China is rewriting the rules of the road, from next generation batteries to smarter assisted driving. So what are the biggest trends coming out of Beijing, and how will they reshape the cars you drive? On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan

On this week's edition of The Soapbox, a young woman in southern China has stirred up controversy. She posted about taking a five hour nap at her company in protest of what she calls a low salary. Online, she received very little support. On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun

At the Sixth Asian Beach Games in Sanya, the wind and waves become part of the game, where every move looks effortlessly shaped by the sea. But how does an entire city transform into the main stage? This is where sport meets the shoreline, and the result is anything but ordinary. On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun