9:00am-9:45am: President Xi Jinping Russia trip
9:00am-9:45am: Phone – Josef Gregory Mahoney, Professor of Politics and International
Relations · East China Normal University 
9:00am-9:45am: Phone – Mark O'Neill, author and journalist
9:00am-9:30am: Phone - Professor Jean-pierre Cabestan, emeritus professor of political science at Baptist University
9:30am-9:45am: Phone - Professor Lau Siu-kai, Professor, Department of Sociology,
CUHK 
9:45am-10:00am: “Harbour-improvement” reclamation
9:45am-10:00am: Phone - Professor Lau Siu Kai, a vice-president of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau studies 
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On Thursday’s Backchat we're looking at president Xi Jinping's visit to Russia
Mr Xi and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have hailed a new era in their
relationship, during the three day visit, and discussed Beijing's proposals to end the
Ukraine conflict.
Moscow said they welcome Beijing' s willingness to play what they call a positive role in the
diplomatic settlement of the Ukraine crisis.
Mr Putin also said many of the provisions of the peace plan put forward by China, can be
taken as the basis for a peaceful settlement when they are ready for it in the West and in
Kyiv.
Noting that China and Russia are each other's biggest neighbour, President Xi also said
that developing long-term, good-neighbourly relations with Russia is a strategic choice,
one which will not be changed by any turn of events.
After 9:45, we'll get reaction to government proposals to make it easier for more
reclamation to be carried out in Victoria Harbour, by relaxing a general ban on such work
and cutting the paperwork required to secure exemptions under the Harbour Protection
Ordinance.
Let us know what you think. You can leave a message on our Facebook page, Backchat
on RTHK Radio 3, email us at backchat@rthk.hk, or give us a call on 233 88 266