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
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, 2025 • Andrew Methven
#228: China reacts to Harvard graduation speech
Jun 14, 2025 • Andrew Methven
#235: There's a new phrase in China's "lie flat" movement
Aug 2, 2025 • Andrew Methven
#225: Social media post ignites debate over wealth, privilege, and corruption
May 24, 2025 • Andrew Methven

Society

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21:21
258: China’s latest internet slang phrase, what it means, and why it’s important
And how it offers a glimpse into how young people in China are feeling about life
Jan 10 • Andrew Methven
23:22
#257: Retired museum director accused of stealing national treasures
Nanjing Museum in the spotlight for systematic theft and corruption
Jan 3 • Andrew Methven
24:21
#254: China’s top high school is in decline
The "Hengshui model" is broken
Dec 13, 2025 • Andrew Methven
21:24
#253: In the aftermath of the Hong Kong fire
Arrests made over gross negligence
Dec 6, 2025 • Andrew Methven
22:49
#251: China's Double 11 shopping festival loses its shine
The decline of Singles Day reveals nostalgia for past years
Nov 22, 2025 • Andrew Methven
21:07
#247: China’s unexpected stand-up comedy star
Director Fang creates joy for many from her own suffering
Oct 25, 2025 • Andrew Methven
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RTM Advanced
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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22:07
#252: Chery Auto’s marketing blunder
A failed publicity stunt highlights problems with quality and stiff competition among automakers
Nov 29, 2025 • Andrew Methven
#250: EV maker unveils life-like humanoid robot
XPENG's IRON makes a controversial debut
Nov 15, 2025 • Andrew Methven
23:02
#249: Xiaomi's self-inflicted PR flop
Consumers are no longer buying Xiaomi "small print" marketing tactics
Nov 8, 2025 • Andrew Methven
26:05
#248: China's biggest tea brand enters the beer market
Mixue acquires draft beer brand in bid to find next area of growth
Nov 1, 2025 • Andrew Methven
24:23
#243: How the Arc’teryx fireworks fiasco is being discussed in China
Arc'teryx faces backlash over fireworks display in Tibet
Sep 27, 2025 • Andrew Methven
21:55

Politics

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22:38
#245: Strong reactions to China's new K-visa
Concerns over abuse of the system and foreigners taking jobs from Chinese as unemployment levels remain high
Oct 11, 2025 • Andrew Methven
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, 2025 • Andrew Methven
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, 2025 • Andrew Methven
22:54
#217: Nationalist online influencer fined for tax fraud
Sima Nan tries to turn reputation crisis into opportunity
Mar 29, 2025 • Andrew Methven
28:43
#185: High profile political pundit goes silent
Former Global Times editor Hu Xijin disappears from public view
Aug 17, 2024 • Andrew Methven
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
30:14
#164: State media journalists obstructed by police
CCTV reporter forced to stop broadcasting on live TV
Mar 23, 2024 • Andrew Methven
34:11
#155: How to discuss Taiwan elections in Mandarin
Exploring the unique language of democracy in Chinese
Jan 20, 2024 • Andrew Methven

Internet buzzwords

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Special Feature: China’s 10 Most Impactful Digital Stories of 2025
A sinologist’s guide to the viral moments and bigger stories that defined the Chinese internet this year.
Dec 31, 2025 • Manya Koetse
#256: Our Favourite Phrases of 2025
Year in review in 12 phrases
Dec 27, 2025 • Andrew Methven
22:37
#255: China’s official top phrases of 2025
Picking the best words from three end-of-year lists
Dec 20, 2025 • Andrew Methven
22:58
#204: Our favourite phrases of 2024
China in 2024 in 24 words and phrases
Dec 28, 2024 • Andrew Methven
30:14
#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
30:02
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