Hong Kong Today
Description:
RTHK's morning news programme. Weekdays 6:30 - 8:00
Presenter:
Janice Wong and Samantha Butler2023-11-07
Tuesday
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Selected audio segments:
Redevelopment rumours over Choi Hung Estate Listen
One of Hong Kong's most famous and photogenic housing estates is reportedly to be redeveloped. Choi Hung Estate comprises 11 blocks with around 17,500 residents and was built more than six decades ago. It is a tourist hotspot, with visitors taking photos of the basketball court there with its rainbow-coloured buildings in the background. But some say redevelopment will allow more flats to be built on the site, as Vanessa Cheng reports:
Call to preserve estate's colour themes Listen
Lawmaker Bill Tang, who represents Kowloon East, has welcomed news of the possible redevelopment of Choi Hung Estate saying it is long overdue. He also told Vanessa Cheng that he hoped the redevelopment could take visual cues from the estate's current colour theme:
Small protest outside US consulate over sanctions Listen
Lawmakers, including New People's Party chairwoman Regina Ip, have protested outside the American consulate in Central against a proposal in the US Congress to sanction SAR officials, judges and prosecutors. The Hong Kong Sanctions Act targets 49 people involved in the implementation of the national security law here. Ip told Anne Chan that the Hong Kong national security law did not undermine the freedom and rights in the city:
Warning that sanctions could backfire Listen
Members of the DAB party and the Federation of Trade Unions also staged protests. They waved placards and handed petitions to consulate staff. DAB vice-chairman Holden Chow said the US lawmakers behind the bill could have violated Hong Kong's national security law. Speaking to reporters, he said the proposed bill would not scare any of the individuals targeted:
Legal challenge against DC nomination process Listen
The so-called "king of judicial reviews' has filed a legal challenge against the nomination mechanism for candidates hoping to run in next month's District Council polls. He has asked the court to declare the mechanism "unconstitutional", as Damon Pang reports:
Meth haul disguised as seashells Listen
The customs department says it has made its biggest-ever seizure of suspected solid methamphetamine, picking up about 1.1 tonnes of the drug camouflaged in the shape of seashells. Aaron Tam reports:
Caution needed over Southbound driving plan Listen
Transport minister Lam Sai-hung says careful studies must be conducted before the administration allows cars from Guangdong province and Macau to drive on Hong Kong's busy streets. It comes after a scheme was unveiled to allow people from the two places to drive into the SAR via the Hong Kong Zhuhai-Macau Bridge and park their cars at the end of the transport link. Natale Ching reports:
Minibus drivers complain about cross-harbour toll increases Listen
The government has defended its new tunnel toll fee plan after a group of minibus drivers criticised the proposed increases, fearing they will be put out of business. Elvis Yu reports:
30 percent decline in ecological health of Deep Bay Listen
Researchers say the rapid growth of cities in the Greater Bay Area is causing problems for the environment. In a joint study, the Chinese University and the University of Exeter looked at environmental data of Deep Bay - between Yuen Long district and Shenzhen - and its surrounding wetlands, and found a 30 percent decrease in the amount of mudflats, fishponds, and traditional fish and shrimp farms over the past four decades. One of the leading researchers from the Chinese University, Felix Leung, told Samantha Butler that Deep Bay was an important stop for thousands of migratory birds:
Parallel imports may have resulted in beauty blunder Listen
A plastic surgeon says a series of infections found at a beauty centre probably resulted from unregistered parallel imports being used. Dr Josephine Mak, Honorary Secretary of the Hong Kong Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons, was commenting after several people developed infections after fat removal injections at a Lai Chi Kok salon. Four people have been arrested. Dr Mak told Janice Wong that consumers should check the product being used - to make sure it is from a brand-new, sealed box, and only visit registered practitioners:
HK's legal week 'reconnecting' the world Listen
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam says the Hong Kong Legal Week has brought together judges, officials and legal practitioners from around the world to the SAR. He opened the event - which lasts until Friday - saying it acts as a testament to the fact that Hong Kong is reconnecting the world. Kelly Yu reports:
Relations thaw as Albanese meets Xi Listen
President Xi Jinping has told Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese that their countries could become "trusting partners". President Xi also pledged to work with Canberra on everything from regional security to climate change, as the two leaders eased years of tensions that cut billions of US dollars in trade. Aaron Tam reports:
New Beatles song on track to top the charts Listen
The new Beatles song, produced with the help of AI, is on track to be named number one on Britain's official singles chart. "Now and Then" used artificial intelligence to include the vocals of John Lennon and guitar by George Harrison, both of whom died in 1980 and 2001, respectively. RTHK's UK correspondent, Gavin Grey, told Annemarie Evans that this would be the Fab Four’s 18th UK chart-leader, and their first in 54 years since “The Ballad of John and Yoko” in 1969: