Rock climbing reaching new heights of popularity

China is currently experiencing a rapid surge in the popularity of rock climbing, a trend propelled by its debut as an Olympic sport, an expanding middle class with a growing emphasis on health and wellness, and widespread sharing on social media platforms. As participation diversifies across age and demographic groups, the sport's future trajectory is clearly oriented toward the formal development of competitive circuits and its deeper integration into domestic tourism and adventure travel initiatives. / Round Table's Happy Place (15:16)! On the show: Steve, Niu Honglin & Yushun

While childhood obesity is often perceived as an urban problem, this is no longer the case in China. Recent data shows a rapid increase in overweight and obesity rates among school-age children, with researchers predicting that rural rates will surpass urban ones by 2025-2030. What is driving this accelerated rise in rural childhood obesity? On the show: Steve, Niu Honglin & Yushun

Heart to Heart - please send your audio questions to [email protected]. / VIP perks used to be simple. Now, China's biggest platforms are bundling everything you do online and offline into one super membership. But when perks become so vast and the math so tricky, do they simplify life or just make us spend more by default (17:38)? On the show: Heyang, Steve & Yushan

The 12th Silk Road International Film Festival is taking place in Fuzhou, Fujian Province, from September 22nd to 26th. Heyang speaks with Tang Kelan, who is not only active in Macau SAR youth affairs but also a passionate filmmaker, having directed and starred in the short film 'Granny' (00:49). The conversation continues with director Song Zhuofei, whose upcoming film '最好的朋友' (Best Friends) offers a gentle exploration of the life of an autistic youth. This focus reflects a broader trend in Chinese cinema toward storytelling that is socially conscious, empathetic, and deeply human (15:32).

In Xinjiang, ancient traditions are not frozen in time but are dynamically evolving. This episode explores how daily life in the millennia-old Kashi Ancient City, and across all of Xinjiang, is being revitalized with modern comforts while carefully preserving its unique soul. From the enduring epic of Manas to the innovative fusion of Guangdong's Yingge dance with Uygur melodies, it's clear how dedicated cultural preservation, youthful creativity, and open exchanges are composing a vibrant new chapter for the region's diverse cultural mosaic.

The story of Xinjiang's industry is no longer just about sweet grapes and cotton fields. This episode travels from high tech cotton farms where AI and drones optimize harvests to the vast desert aquafarms that raise tasty seafood. We uncover how innovation is driving growth, from the massive wind farms of Hami supplying green energy to the nation, to the data centers of Karamay leveraging liquid cooling tech. It is a journey into how Xinjiang is diversifying its economy and harnessing cutting edge technology to build a robust and modern industrial ecosystem.

From the bustling lanes of the world's largest bazaar in Urumqi to the humming logistics hubs at the region's 19 ports, Xinjiang is transforming its geographical advantage into economic strength. As China's gateway to the west, it now hosts a major network for opening-up, including the pioneering Pilot Free Trade Zone. This episode explores how cross-border trade, a web of China-Europe freight trains, and cultural exchanges are weaving Xinjiang into the very heart of the Belt and Road Initiative, making it a pivotal hub for continental connectivity. On the show: Niu Honglin, Laiming & Yushan.

That dreaded 3 PM energy crash after a carb-heavy lunch is a common experience, but the solution isn't to abandon carbohydrates—it's to choose them wisely. This is where understanding the Glycemic Index (GI), your body's blood sugar speedometer, becomes essential. We move beyond the diet trends to deliver clear science and provide simple, actionable strategies for selecting smarter carbs. By making these mindful swaps, you can fuel your body for sustained energy all day long and finally conquer that afternoon slump. / Round Table's Happy Place (13:40)! On the show: Steve, Niu Honglin & Yushan

China has made a major update to its National Immunization Program (NIP) by including a domestically produced HPV vaccine, offering it free to school-aged girls. This first revision in 17 years is a significant public health advancement, driven by a growing national focus on preventive care and rising cancer awareness. By providing widespread, free access, the policy directly tackles barriers of cost and availability, promising to drastically reduce cervical cancer rates and protect the long-term health of millions of women. On the show: Steve, Niu Honglin & Yushan

American firms are cutting back on employee training, while Chinese companies are expanding their programs. Despite these opposing approaches, workers in both countries say the training they receive is often irrelevant to their real needs. If this is the case, is anyone actually helping employees build the skills required to advance in their careers? / Heart to Heart - please send your audio questions to [email protected].(17:58) On the show: Heyang, Steve & Li Yunqi