Archive - RealTime Mandarin

#224: What China’s biggest medical scandal of 2025 reveals about the deeper flaws in its healthcare system

The affair between Dr. Xiao Fei and trainee doctor Dong Xiying exposes how nepotism and inequality remain deeply rooted in China’s hospitals

May 17, 2025 • Andrew Methven

26:30

#235: There's a new phrase in China's "lie flat" movement

The "Rat People" are here.

Aug 2, 2025 • Andrew Methven

23:19

#228: China reacts to Harvard graduation speech

Backlash against Jiang Yurong exposes underlying issues around fairness and privilege

Jun 14, 2025 • Andrew Methven

22:52

#225: Social media post ignites debate over wealth, privilege, and corruption

Teen actress and daughter of former official flaunts million-yuan earrings

May 24, 2025 • Andrew Methven

22:44

#254: China’s top high school is in decline

The "Hengshui model" is broken

Dec 13, 2025 • Andrew Methven

24:21

#192: Who are China's "unfinished kids"?

Unpacking the social trends that gave rise to this new phrase and what it reveals about China’s education system

Oct 5, 2024 • Andrew Methven

40:26

#213: Ne Zha is no longer the audience favourite

Beyond the success of blockbuster Ne Zha 2, people empathise more with antagonist Shen Gongbao—but why?

Mar 1, 2025 • Andrew Methven

22:44

#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

34:40

#220: China’s exporters are feeling the pain

In the face of escalating tariffs, all they can do is take the pain, watch, and wait

Apr 19, 2025 • Andrew Methven

24:04

#179: Price wars in China's solar industry lead to push to go global

"Go global, or go down"

Jul 6, 2024 • Andrew Methven

34:15

#177: 17-year-old fashion student beats hundreds of competitors from top universities in a global mathematics competition

A math genius shows how China's competitive education system can crush young talent, rather than cultivate it (and when talent is cultivated it happens…

Jun 22, 2024 • Andrew Methven

37:09

#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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