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The gig economy, facilitated by internet platforms, has transformed our lives for the better. But what about the workers who drive us around, deliver our food, and perform other tasks through these platforms? As the gig economy grows, questions arise about worker protection, rights, and benefits. Is our labour market keeping up with this evolving economy? In this episode, we explore potential solutions to these issues with CGTN Radio reporter Li Yunqi. He followed China's political advisors this week in Beijing.

The numbers of minor offenders and victims in China have been rising over the past five years. This raises the alarm over mental wellness among young people. We spoke with CGTN Radio reporter Dou Hongyu who sat down with juvenile court judge Chen Haiyi in the Chinese city of Guangzhou，who is also a National People's Congress deputy.

Many Chinese cities have rolled out reforms of public health care systems. In particular, the reforms focus on outpatient medical insurance. Authorities say the reforms aim to better coordinate funds and expand the coverage of the insurances. They say the changes will benefit vulnerable people such as seniors and those living with chronic diseases. Is that really so? What did China try to achieve with this reform of its medical insurance? At our Deep Dive studio this week, we sit down with CGTN Radio's Jiang Tao for answers.

China's No.1 central document sets out key tasks for the country's work in agriculture and rural areas for the year.Over 500 million people live in China's rural areas, making up 36 percent of the overall population. Farm production is vital to their livelihoods.In this episode, CGTN Radio reporter Guo Yan is exploring a less-discussed type of problem in farming: excessive salt in the soil.

This week, China continued its relaxation on traveling. Travel agencies can now restart group tours and bundle deals to 20 countries across the world. For Chinese travelers, they can’t wait to enjoy some international holiday time. Thailand and other ASEAN countries are among their top picks. Businesses and workers in the hospitality industry of these countries are also waiting for the arrival of Chinese clients. Some believe Chinese travelers will serve as a strong boost to their economy, especially after three years of struggles. CGTN correspondent in Bangkok Chaowarat Yongjiranon spoke with us on how much rebound Chinese travelers have brought and will bring to Thailand. Also, how have Chinese tourists changed post-pandemic?

For over 100 days, a search was carried out for a 15-year-old boy who mysteriously went missing in Jiangxi Province last year. His disappearance gripped China over the past three months. On January 30, his body was found near his school, causing despair across the nation. Authorities have ruled his death as suicide. Why did the boy decide to end his life? Why has this case drawn so much attention? We spoke with CGTN Radio Jiangxi reporter Luo Laiming for more.

The Chinese Lunar New Year is a time for celebrations and family gatherings. The holiday comes with its travel rush when billions of trips are made. Where are people traveling after China relaxed its most COVID restrictions? Are there halo effects revolving around the travel rush? What does it tell of the Year of the Rabbit ahead? We spoke with CGTN reporter Cen Ziyuan for this.

China has seen a key demographic U turn: the country had 850,000 fewer people last year than in 2021 as its population shrunk for the first time since 1961. Today, many young people in China are reluctant to give birth, citing a slew of reasons, from financial burden to limited medical resources. Along with many expectant mothers in China, CGTN reporter Cao Bing is looking forward to her baby's arrival. Why did she decide to have a child? What’s her view about a family-friendly society? She shared her thoughts in this week’s episode of Deep Dive.

On January 8, travelers from outside of Chinese mainland started flocking across the borders. This excitement came as China decided to lower its COVID management level from the highest A to a lower B level. This means COVID-related travel restrictions have mostly been scrapped. Why did China decide to lower COVID controls at this time? What are travelers saying about their trips back to the country? How will 2023 pan out for China with its new approach to COVID-19? We spoke with CGTN reporter Dai Kaiyi.

This week, we spoke with our colleague Luo Laiming, on his experiences with COVID in Jiangxi Province. He also shared how local communities dealt with infections.

On the last day of 2022, we took you on a tour looking back at some of the major events shaping our lives. What were our picks?

Africa was once the world’s most vulnerable part in the pandemic. A lack of vaccines and other medical resources left the continent in desperate hardship. But recently, the World Health Organization indicated that Africa is on track to control the pandemic this year. What’s the situation there now? How has the continent emerged from the novel coronavirus? We check in with China Media Group reporter Gao Junya who’s worked and lived in Zimbabwe for 5 years.

A herd of wild Asian elephants became global stars last year during a long trip in China’s Yunnan Province. What’s going on with them now? Why did they take that trip? Was it an awakening call for us to take actions to protect nature and its biodiversity? We spoke with CGTN reporter Tao Yuan who’s been following this herd.

Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent trip to Middle East has opened a new era for the relations between China and the Arab world. He attended two regional summits both held in Saudi Arabia and paid a state visit to the country. How important is China for Saudi Arabia? Why is Riyadh pushing for larger-scale cooperation between the two sides? We check in with CGTN reporter Lu Sirui who has been following China's ties with Arab countries.

China has significantly changed its response to COVID-19, from what it calls the dynamic zero policy to a new approach expected to better balance the pandemic control and economic recovery. What has the country achieved and learned from its fight against the coronavirus over the past three years? Why has it decided to make the change? How are people living under the eased control measures? We check in with CGTN reporter Huang Yue.

China vows to further immunize its older population, who are the most vulnerable to COVID-19 infections. The country announced a slew of measures on Wednesday to further optimize its COVID-19 response and getting the elderly vaccinated is one of them. At the same time, a new inhalable vaccine has become popular among the elderly as a booster. Is the new vaccine going to help increase vaccination rates among the elderly? How is the government carrying out the immunization drive for this group? We speak with CGTN reporter Liu Jiaxin for this.

Beijing is hosting a week of diplomacy with visits by state leaders from Cuba, Mongolia, and Laos. A senior European official also arrived on the heels of these visits. Why are these politicians visiting China? What did they discuss? And most importantly, what will follow these talks? We check in with CGTN reporter Huang Yue.

When world leaders gather, meet and talk, we often ask why it matters. During a time when face-to-face meetings are a rarity, the significance of leaders' meetings like the one between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden seem elevated. For this episode, we speak with CGTN current affairs reporter Dong Xue to explore how these meetings could change the political landscape of the world.

Bangkok kicked off the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum on Friday with talks on trade starring on the agenda. In this episode, we will look at one of Thailand's most signature products: durian. The spiky, pungent fruit makes up a big part of trade across Asia. The two ends of the trade see Thailand being the biggest exporter and China the biggest buyer. How did durians win over the Chinese palate? We check with CGTN Bangkok correspondent Chaowarat Yongjiranon.

Right after the G20 summit wrapped up in Bali, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indonesian President Joko Widodo witnessed virtually a trial run of the first high-speed railway in Indonesia, built with Chinese technologies. Who's behind the building of the railway? What does this railway mean for the local people? We spoke with CGTN Southeast Asia correspondent, Dusita Saokaew.