Defying Fate: China's Gaokao, Unfairness & The Meaning of Life

Welcome to China Talks Decoded. China's Gaokao is the world's toughest college-entrance exam — and the application system around it quietly punishes the kids with the least information. Education economist Ye Xiaoyang has spent a decade fighting that information gap, helping students in remote areas choose wisely. We dig into whether "education still pays" in today's China, how to spot predatory programs, and how young people find meaning inside a brutally high-pressure system. English commentary with original-audio clips.

Original show: Zhixing Bistro (知行小酒馆), E212.