RealTime Mandarin

RealTime Mandarin

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START HERE: Improve your Mandarin in 10 minutes a week
A weekly resource to help you get your fluency back, stay informed about China, and communicate with confidence in Chinese
Feb 21, 2024 • 
Andrew Methven
22
Most Popular
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#224: What China’s biggest medical scandal of 2025 reveals about the deeper flaws in its healthcare system
May 17 • Andrew Methven
23
4
#228: China reacts to Harvard graduation speech
Jun 14 • Andrew Methven
23
#225: Social media post ignites debate over wealth, privilege, and corruption
May 24 • Andrew Methven
20
2
#192: Who are China's "unfinished kids"?
Oct 5, 2024 • Andrew Methven
16
4

Society

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23:56
#241: Anti-smoking campaigner targets Lu Xun's 100-year-old smoking habit
A complaint about smoking imagery at writer's birthplace memorial is not what it appears to be
Sep 13 • 
Andrew Methven
5
2
21:50
#239: Mosquito eradication efforts in Guangdong are going too far
As chikungunya fever cases rise, the public is mobilised and monitored with COVID-like policies
Aug 30 • 
Andrew Methven
12
28:34
#238: "Jiangsu Super" finally gives Chinese football fans something to cheer about
The amateur grassroots tournament has achieved something China’s professional game has always been missing
Aug 23 • 
Andrew Methven
8
21:56
#236: Fall of the CEO Monk
The empire that Shi Yongxin built and lost
Aug 9 • 
Andrew Methven
13
14
23:19
#235: There's a new phrase in China's "lie flat" movement
The "Rat People" are here.
Aug 2 • 
Andrew Methven
14
2
24:24
#234: Hangzhou authorities mishandle tap water pollution incident
Memes and toilet humour flow
Jul 26 • 
Andrew Methven
12
8
RTM Plus Podcasts
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Saturday: Get informed about one trending news story from China. Learn the context, background, and key vocabulary.
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Saturday: Challenge yourself with the full native news article, hand-picked from actual Chinese media coverage.
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Sunday: Practice with an intermediate-level version of the same story if you're not ready for native content.
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Wednesday: Hear native speakers bring it all together discussing the week's story in a natural conversation.
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Business

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25:12
#240: Chinese AI chip maker briefly overtakes Moutai to become China’s most valuable listed company
Cambricon goes from loss-making to profitable. But will it last?
Sep 6 • 
Andrew Methven
13
7
#237: Graduate employee takes on Chery Auto and its overtime work culture
Chery is the next company to change its ways in the "anti-involution" movement
Aug 16 • 
Andrew Methven
13
20:43
#233: Online platforms compete for market share in new battleground of instant retail
Deals and discounts as JD, Ali, and Meituan redefine their business models
Jul 19 • 
Andrew Methven
11
7
24:54
#230: Labubu are selling like hot cakes, and so are the fakes
Emotion-driven purchases and speculation send prices soaring, even in the counterfeit market
Jun 28 • 
Andrew Methven
11
22:31
#227: One Yuan iced water becomes China's viral summer sensation
Simple, affordable drink sparks social media buzz and attracts throngs of young consumers
Jun 7 • 
Andrew Methven
13
15:23

Politics

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22:42
#229: Strict alcohol bans introduced for government officials across China
But with concerns the policies are going too far, and are hitting local businesses
Jun 21 • 
Andrew Methven
10
8
22:54
#217: Nationalist online influencer fined for tax fraud
Sima Nan tries to turn reputation crisis into opportunity
Mar 29 • 
Andrew Methven
7
28:43
#185: High profile political pundit goes silent
Former Global Times editor Hu Xijin disappears from public view
Aug 17, 2024 • 
Andrew Methven
6
34:40
#174: 100,000 protesters take to the streets in Taipei
Opposition parties play "black box politics" bringing memories of protests 10 years ago
Jun 1, 2024 • 
Andrew Methven
19
4
30:14
#164: State media journalists obstructed by police
CCTV reporter forced to stop broadcasting on live TV
Mar 23, 2024 • 
Andrew Methven
6
1
34:11
#155: How to discuss Taiwan elections in Mandarin
Exploring the unique language of democracy in Chinese
Jan 20, 2024 • 
Andrew Methven
5
31:39
#144: How the death of Li Keqiang is being discussed in the Chinese speaking world
Conversations about the sudden passing of China’s former Premier
Nov 4, 2023 • 
Andrew Methven
5
30:11
#106: Calling a deer a tiger: How the wandering spy balloon is being discussed in China
"Wandering Balloon" discussions from both sides of the firewall
Feb 11, 2023 • 
Andrew Methven
6

Internet buzzwords

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30:14
#204: Our favourite phrases of 2024
China in 2024 in 24 words and phrases
Dec 28, 2024 • 
Andrew Methven
14
#203: China's “official" top internet buzzwords of 2024
What Chinese people are talking about in 2024, according to four year-end lists of popular buzzwords and internet catchphrases
Dec 21, 2024 • 
Andrew Methven
15
30:02
#152: Our favourite words of 2023
China in 2023 in 23 words and phrases
Dec 30, 2023 • 
Andrew Methven
6
24:38
#150: China's top internet buzzwords of 2023
What Chinese people are thinking about in 2023, according to three year-end lists of popular buzzwords and internet catchphrases.
Dec 16, 2023 • 
Andrew Methven
11
35:29
#100: Our favourite phrases of 2022
China in 2022: In 22 words and phrases
Dec 31, 2022 • 
Andrew Methven
9
10
50:45
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