

Hong Kong Today
Description:
RTHK's morning news programme. Weekdays 6:30 - 8:00
Presenter:
Janice Wong and Samantha Butler2023-03-23
Thursday
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Selected audio segments:
Xi Jinping ends three-day visit to Moscow
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President Xi Jinping has returned to Beijing after his state visit to Russia, that included lengthy talks with Vladimir Putin. The two leaders hailed a "new era" in their relationship, with Moscow pledging to help Chinese businesses replace Western firms that have left Russia over its war on Ukraine. Kelly Yu reports:
Xi's trip signals Russia not isolated
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A senior fellow at a mainland-based think tank has hailed Xi's visit to Moscow a success for giving assurances to Russia that it is not isolated on the international stage. Einar Tangen from the Taihe Institute and founder of Asia Narratives says the signing of economic partnerships is a way to release pressure on Moscow. He also told Samantha Butler that a trust deficit was making it difficult to restore peace to Ukraine:
Sino-Russian ties changing face of global economy
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RTHK's Moscow correspondent, Fred Weir, says the boosting of ties between Russia and China is leading to "a full rupture" of what the former global economy used to look like, and a shifting of supply chains from West to East. He told AnneMarie Evans that it was too early to judge how well Russia may have come out of the talks with Xi:
HK and Guangdong boost co-operation
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The government says agreements, in areas such as technology, healthcare and finance, were sealed in the first face-to-face meeting between the leaders of Hong Kong and Guangdong in four years. Tuesday's talks in the Central Government Offices were co-chaired by provincial Governor Wang Weizhong and Chief Executive John Lee. Altis Wong reports:
Govt unveils cross-harbour congestion tolls
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Car owners using the Cross-Harbour Tunnel will be paying twice as much for a rush-hour crossing by the end of the year, with the government planning to accelerate congestion charges after it retakes control of the Western Harbour Crossing. But that also means they will only have to pay a toll of $20 to use any of the three harbour tunnels in the evening and overnight. Maggie Ho reports:
Rush-hour toll charges 'unfair' to some drivers
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Roundtable lawmaker Michael Tien believes the plan to bring in different tunnel tolls at different times of the day will be effective in easing traffic congestion. But he told Vanessa Cheng that it was also unfair to some tunnel users:
Govt urged to control vehicle numbers
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An expert in public transport says the new toll adjustment will not make a big difference in travel patterns although in the short term, trucks and commercial vehicles may adjust their trips. Alok Jain, CEO and managing director of Trans-Consult Asia - a company that provides advisory services in transportation - says if the government does not cut the number of cars on the road, traffic congestion will remain a major problem. He spoke to Ada Au:
New data rules on passengers to keep out 'undesirables'
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The government has come up with a new regulation, requiring airlines to pass personal data on Hong Kong-bound passengers to the SAR authorities. The Security Bureau says that could help keep out "undesirables", including potential asylum claimants. Maggie Ho reports:
Mask-wearing ban to remain due to 'security risks'
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The secretary for security says Hong Kong needs to keep in place its ban on the wearing of face masks at public gatherings. Chris Tang cited the national security risks the city faces, as Damon Pang reports:
Govt played no role in dropping Winnie the Pooh movie
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The Secretary for Culture, Kevin Yeung, says it was the distributor's decision to drop the screening of 'Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey' from local cinemas. As Damon Pang reports, the British slasher film was to have opened here this week:
CUHK device aims to treat acid reflux
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A Chinese University research team has developed a wireless electronic stent to treat gastric acid reflux. The device can be inserted into the oesophagus through the patient's mouth. Once in place, the stent generates electric pulses to strengthen the closure of the lower oesophageal sphincter, which connects the throat and the stomach. Professor Tony Chan, one of the team's lead researchers, spoke to Leung Pak-hei about the device: