Hong Kong Today

Financial secretary to lead Hong Kong delegation to APEC leaders summit, importance of patriots in district council elections, trade unions urging support for non-local workers, rental benefits for mom and pop stores, astronauts return from successful space mission, ongoing inquiry into pandemic handling in UK.

Discussion on funding strategies for a new cross-border rail link, District Council elections nominations, operations and future of Hong Kong's offshore LNG Terminal, Chinese military official criticizes countries and vows to develop ties with the US, rollercoaster crash at a theme park, Evergrande restructuring hearing, record-breaking profit announcement by BYD, and public investigation into sexual abuse by Spain's Catholic clergy.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi caution regarding unresolved China-US issues, Chief Executive John Lee discussing new national security laws in Hong Kong, government's plan to introduce healthcare services on the mainland, discussion on the lack of officials' response to deadly crush in South Korea, upcoming key events in the US markets including Federal Reserve meeting, U.S. employment data, and Apple's earnings report

Discussion of policies announced in Wednesday's policy interests, disappointment and support for having children, initiatives to reverse falling fertility rate and address labor shortage in tourism sector, Hong Kong's policy blueprint and infrastructure plans, increasing non-local student intake and accommodation demand, update on Shenzhou-17 crew and astronaut selection.

In this podcast, the hosts discuss various topics including the impact of loosened property cooling measures, Hong Kong's plans to revive its finance hub role and boost the birth rate, the city's education system and its efforts to attract talent, the potential increase in mainland students applying to Hong Kong universities, the measures taken to develop Hong Kong into an innovation and technology hub, advantages of doing business in Hong Kong, the upcoming Shenzhou 17 mission, and the success of Hong Kong athletes at the Asian Para Games.

Upcoming policy address in Hong Kong; Living conditions and development potential of young people in subdivided units; District Council elections and national law on patriotic education; Real-time mosquito tracking map; Deteriorating situation in Gaza and concerns about escalation in Lebanon.

Lawmaker criticizes government's increase in cost estimate for new MTR station. Decrease in public works tender result index prompts discussion on project costs. Need for better case management and vocational training in Hong Kong. Customs officials seize smuggled hairy crabs. Hong Kong cyclathon returns after pandemic. Impact of Washington trip on Israel and warning about repeating U.S. mistakes.

President Xi Jinping discusses the success of the Belt and Road Initiative, Hong Kong's potential in green tech, removing contractors from government construction projects, government's plan to ban disposable plastic tableware, salary rises and talent retention in Hong Kong.