Hong Kong Today
Description:
RTHK's morning news programme. Weekdays 6:30 - 8:00
Presenter:
Samantha Butler and Ben Tse2023-11-17
Friday
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Selected audio segments:
Xi and Biden agree to resume military talks Listen
The Japanese government says President Xi Jinping will meet Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on the sidelines of the Apec summit. The two leaders last spoke about a year ago before Beijing imposed a ban on Tokyo's seafood, following its discharge of wastewater from the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant. It is a continuation of his diplomatic efforts in San Francisco, following his meeting with US counterpart, Joe Biden, on Wednesday, where the two agreed to resume high-level military-to-military communication. Xi emphasised that while China was committed to a stable, healthy and sustainable relationship with the US, there were principles that must be upheld and red lines that must not be crossed. Kelly Yu reports from San Francisco:
President Xi on 'charm offensive' at Apec Listen
A mainland-based political commentator says the talks between Presidents Xi and Biden delivered on "low expectations", but talking and meeting was better than not doing it. Einar Tangen, a senior fellow at mainland-based think tank, the Taihe Institute, says Xi wants to appeal to the American people and change their "dim view" of China and pledge more engagement with American businesses. He told Samantha Butler that the president was on a "charm offensive" at the Apec summit:
Apec leaders hold informal dialogue session Listen
Presidents Xi and Biden have come face to face again, a day after their landmark bilateral talks. The leader of Hong Kong's delegation to the Apec talks, Paul Chan, also had an opportunity to speak to Xi. Kelly Yu is in San Francisco:
FS meets Silicon Valley start-ups Listen
There are calls for greater exchanges between businesses in Hong Kong and San Francisco. One Hongkonger, who is working for a venture capital company in Silicon Valley, told RTHK that foreign investors were eager to explore what the SAR had to offer. Kelly Yu reports:
San Francisco trying to lure back tourists Listen
A Chinese businessman in San Francisco says he expects at least a 35 percent jump in business with this week's Apec summit and related events. Edward Siu is the head of the Chinatown Merchants United Association and also runs a travel agency. But he told Kelly Yu that issues in the city, such as homelessness, could impede the tourism trade:
New electoral system 'in line with Basic Law' Listen
Chief Secretary Eric Chan says the revamped district councils should be de-politicised and return to their advisory role in accordance with the Basic Law. In an interview with the Sing Tao Daily, Chan also did not rule out the possibility that some candidates who fail to win in the elections could then be appointed by the government. The elections take place on December 10. Violet Wong reports:
HA probes suspected substandard renovation works Listen
The Hospital Authority says an expert report has found that the material used to coat cables in redevelopment work at Kwong Wah Hospital falls short of the thickness and weight specified in its contract. As Frank Yung reports, the authority expressed concern about the incident and said it would take follow-up action:
Reports of child abuse jump 10 percent Listen
A child welfare organisation says it received 187 reports of suspected child abuse in the past year - an increase of more than 10 percent from the year before. Against Child Abuse blamed the rise on increasing awareness of the issue. It urged lawmakers to speed up the passing of a bill that would make it mandatory to report suspected child abuse cases. Vanessa Cheng reports:
Union says new safety measures ineffective Listen
A union has called on the government to do more to boost construction safety after the deaths of 21 workers in industrial accidents this year, which has already surpassed last year's total. As Anne Chan reports, they say recent measures to prevent such incidents have proven ineffective:
Independent third parties should test new govt apps Listen
The government's information technology arm says it is ordering departments to carry out extra testing when they launch new electronic systems. It follows the troubled launch last week of a booking system for sports venues. Frank Yung reports:
More meals, clothes and rest for Center 29 users Listen
The Operation Santa Claus charity drive is raising money for 16 charities this year. One is the “Center 29 Community Center” set up by ImpactHK. Its mission is to help the homeless by giving them a place to stay, to help restore their mental and physical well-being, and build their self esteem. JP Rossouw went to visit them at their office in Tai Kok Tsui, and met up with Jeff Rotmeyer, the founder and chief operating officer of the charity: