Episode 131

This exhibition, curated to coincide with the Year of the Horse (2026), aims to explore the achievements of Chinese horse painting art through multiple dimensions. Nearly one hundred exquisite paintings by over 60 renowned artists from the Yuan Dynasty to the 20th century are displayed.

Whales, manta rays, whale sharks are all eaters of animal plankton or small fish, themselves huge consumers of vegetable plankton. These marine algae produce half of the oxygen on earth and capture 40% of the carbon dioxide.But the global role of the Mastodonts is hardly believable. By swallowing plankton and the small animals that feed on them, these giants capture and store carbon in their fat. When they die, they sink into the abyss where the carbon remains trapped for thousands of years. For example, one whale captures as much carbon each year as a thousand trees. These giants are real allies in regulating the climate and restoring reef productivity. The programme for identifying these new feeding areas is easily reproducible in all the areas concerned around the world.

"Imagine a Dead Blue Whale inside the Pocket of a Giant”, can you? It's actually the name of a group exhibition now showing at the Current Plans art space. Featuring works by Hong Kong and Italian artists, the exhibition explores play as a shared language across the two places. Games and play become the means to articulate what cannot be said, opening spaces for dialogue, wonder, and new forms of connection. In the studio: Sophie Dervaux's Bassoon & Baton This year’s French May programme “Bassoon and Baton” was a rare and special occasion for the bassoon to take centre stage, as prize-winning musician Sophie Dervaux made her Hong Kong debut. Dervaux has been the principal bassoonist of the Vienna Philharmonic and the Vienna State Opera Orchestra since 2015. [À Chloris by Reynaldo Hahn]

When talking about nourishing foods for the winter, lamb is often the first thing that comes to mind. Mutton is rich in protein and iron, making it highly beneficial for enriching the blood. However, as for the unique and strong “gamey smell” of mutton, some people love it while others find it off-putting. While we usually choose imported or Mainland mutton, black lambs are also bred in Hong Kong. In this episode, the “Food Fanatics” visit a farm where hundreds of black lambs are raised to explore their properties and habits. The chef host Mabel also creates a specially designed dish, “Crown Roast of Lamb with Lemon and Fermented Tofu, teaching us how to remove the gamey odor while preserving the tenderness of mutton. We also invited the news presenter Ruby LAM to share her tips for staying in shape; and the registered Chinese medicine practitioner CHO Shun-yan to explain the properties of lamb, including who should eat it and how to enjoy it in a nourishing way without causing "internal heat”. Hosts: Yuki LAW, Mabel (Resident Chef) Guests: Ruby LAM, CHO Shun-yan (Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioner)

In a world where light and darkness intertwine, guide dogs stand as loyal guardians for the visually impaired, leading them through life’s thorny paths and weaving a story of loyalty and hope. From the moment he was born, Gabe the Labrador was destined for an extraordinary life. After a rigorous selection process, he was chosen to become a guide dog, embarking on his mission. This documentary traces his journey from puppyhood through training, witnessing how Gabe learns to accompany the visually impaired and becomes a messenger of light in their lives. Along the way, Gabe undergoes training in obedience, navigation, and danger recognition, while also building a deep bond with his trainers—an emotional connection that warms the heart. As Gabe’s training nears completion, he approaches his graduation ceremony, where he will be paired with his visually impaired partner. From strangers to companions, every encounter and every shared moment redefine the meaning of trust and reliance. The stories of the visually impaired are often heartbreaking; many once felt despair after losing their sight. Yet the arrival of a guide dog allows them to embrace life anew. The cold, unfeeling cane is replaced by warm fur. Each steady step, each patient pause, becomes a testament to regained dreams. With the companionship of a guide dog, they walk forward together in light—witnessing the profound bond between human and dog, and the story of hope that shines through.

As one of the pillars of Hong Kong's economy, the retail industry has increasingly seen the presence of disabled employees in recent years. In the fiercely competitive retail market, it is easy to find heartwarming stories of compassion and commitment. Gigi, the owner of a small chain of coffee shops, has insisted on hiring people with disabilities for over a decade. The brand currently operates four physical stores, with a small number of employees, half of whom are disabled. Among them are a deaf barista and a baker diagnosed with attention deficit disorder. Aside from focusing on their roles, Gigi has also arranged for them to work as sales staff at the stores and markets, training them to interact more with the public and practice skills in communication and management, hoping to make them more competitive in their future job searches. Gigi often encourages and arranges for employees to participate in local and international hand-brewed coffee and baking competitions, aiming to lead them onto a broader stage beyond their small coffee retail store to expand their horizons. Founded over twenty years ago, the social enterprise currently employs over 70% of its staff as mental health recoverers. The company operates various businesses, with retail being one of its main sectors. It includes its own brand store selling rehabilitation products and restaurants. Recoverers who have suffered from schizophrenia , as well as employees with attention deficit disorder, work as convenience store staff and delivery personnel, with support and guidance from their families, supervisors, and social workers acting as their strongest backing. In this episode, several individuals with disabilities striving in the retail industry overcome obstacles and bravely challenge themselves through their efforts in seeking employment and working. Today’s guest, Ng Hoi Yan, will experience firsthand the working conditions of disabled employees in the retail sector.

Since its establishment in 2022, the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises has successfully brought multiple companies to Hong Kong, spanning industries such as artificial intelligence, data science, new energy, and financial technology. What benefits will the arrival of these major enterprises bring to Hong Kong’s capital and employment markets?

How did scientists embark on their journeys? What challenges and doubts have they come across along the way? These experiences are undoubtedly invaluable to future scientists aspiring to undertake scientific research. The four laureates this year, Professor Xing XU, Professor Zhonghe ZHOU, Professor Xi DAI and Professor Hong DING, specially attended the talk “Dialogue with the Youth” for young people. They had close exchanges with Hong Kong secondary students from different schools, during which they delved into topics from palaeontology to forefront condensed matter physics, and shared their journeys of growth. The talk brought the Prize Week to a perfect close.

Released on 10 February 2026, the white paper titled “Hong Kong: Safeguarding China’s National Security Under the Framework of One Country, Two Systems” provides a comprehensive review of Hong Kong’s legal framework and practical experience in safeguarding national security. It highlights that the implementation of the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has marked a turning point in restoring order and strengthening the rule of law in Hong Kong. On 15 April 2026, National Security Education Day, the Department of Justice presents the National Security Legal Forum, broadcast live by Radio Television Hong Kong, featuring keynote speeches and panel discussions to promote public awareness, law-abiding consciousness, and understanding of national security.