RTHK's Evening News in English

The Chinese nation is a diverse and inclusive family, with a rich array of cultures and traditions. How does the Constitution lay the institutional foundation for ethnic autonomy and shared prosperity, and foster collective advancement among all ethnic groups through exchange and mutual learning? Article 4 of the Constitution states that all ethnic groups are equal, and the state shall protect the lawful rights and interests of all ethnic minorities, uphold relations of equality, unity, mutual assistance and harmony, and assist all ethnic areas in accelerating their economic and cultural development. Through a visit to an ethnic minority community in Guizhou Province guided by Professor Li Tianyi of Guizhou Minzu University, this episode offers an immersive experience of traditional cultures and customs of the Miao people and other ethnic groups, and explores practices in ethnic autonomy and cultural preservation, showcasing the vitality and depth of diverse cultures flourishing together under the safeguard of the Constitution. 

Studio Discussion Part 1: Choi Hung Estate is about to be demolished in 2 years. A group of cultural enthusiasts organized tours, seminars and exhibitions to shed light on the architectural excellence of the estate’s design. They are also interested in discussions about redevelopment projects of the same kind around the world. Guests: Don Hong, Founder, Kongcept Christine Lee, Curator "Beyond Rainbows: The Architecture of Choi Hung Estate" Part 2: Prof. Apple Chui, assistant professor at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and founder of the Coral Academy is here to tell us more about coral cultivation, restoration, and education in our city. Guest: Prof. Apple Chui, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Segments: Choi Hung Estate heritage tour Multimedia choral music performance at Tai Kwun “Songs of Being” #ChoiHungEstate #HKexhibition #RedevelopmentProjects #DonHong # ChristineLee #Kongcept #BeyondRainbows #TheArchitectureOfChoiHungEstate #CoralAcademy #CUHK #CoralCultivation #CoralRestoration #ProfAppleChui #CoralEducation #TaiKwun #SongsOfBeing #MultimediaChoralMusicPerformance

On today's programme. we begin in outer space, where a Mainland start-up has achieved the nation's first successful land-based recovery of a rocket's first stage. The we turn to the pitch as the new Premier League season kicks off, asking whether Arsenal can defend their title for the first time in over 2 decades. And we close with the ABU Asia-Pacific Robot Contest, as Hong Kong hosts the region's largest university robotics competition after a 14-year absence.

The annual Computer and Communications Festival will be held from 21st to 24th August at the Convention and Exhibition Centre. This year, in addition to getting a cash voucher raffle card of $10 to $500, if you bring your old computer or old parts, you can bargain with the Trade-in merchant for cash vouchers. Themed “AI Connect: Let’s Link the Future”, there will be an “AI and Digital Transformation Zone” and interactive experience areas and workshops where you can try out various smart sports and lifestyle tools, as well as forum talks where a Nvidia representative will share the latest developments in AI.

This is a story spanning more than seventy years. It unfolds between Shanghai and Hong Kong, while remaining closely tied to memories of the family’s hometown of Fenghua in Ningbo. In the early 1950s, following the liberation of Shanghai, many people brought their skills and capital to Hong Kong in search of new opportunities. Among them was 26-year-old Ascot Chang, who had learnt the craft of Hongbang tailoring in Shanghai. With only ten US dollars, he came to Hong Kong to make a living. There, he settled and founded Ascot Chang, a bespoke menswear shop known for its reliable quality, laying the foundation for a family legacy that would continue through the generations. In the late 1970s, as Ascot’s health began to fail, he asked his son Tony, who had just completed his university studies in the United States to return and help manage the business. Though Tony had known little about tailoring at the outset, he went on to devote more than four decades to the trade. Guided by his father’s exacting standards and commitment to craftsmanship, he followed closely in his footsteps. In the 1990s, as reform and opening up brought new opportunities to the mainland, Tony returned to Shanghai, where his father had learnt the craft, to open the family’s first shop there and bring the business to a wider market. At the same time, he carried on his father’s commitment to giving back to his hometown by donating funds for a new school building at a village primary school in Fenghua, Ningbo, his father’s birthplace. To bring the next generation closer to their roots, Tony arranged for his son Justin to teach English at a rural primary school in Fenghua during the summer. Through everyday contact with the local community, Justin came to appreciate more deeply what it means to return home. In recent years, Tony has also begun restoring the family graves, hoping to preserve a place where the family can gather when they return. In this way, the family’s bond reaches beyond Shanghai and Hong Kong, and continues in Fenghua as a lasting connection.

Post-00s (Gen Z) can refer to a point in time, an era, or a label. In this world full of labels, how do the post-00s view Hong Kong at the stroke of midnight? In this episode of "Twilight Trails: Hong Kong", the 90s-born host Mario steps into the world of three post-00s girls who are passionate about dancing. Together, they venture into the streets of Hong Kong at night, blending dance and games to weave together the nighttime Hong Kong of two different generations. What insights do they gain from each other? What do they see in the eyes of the 90s generation and the post-00s generation? And what does Hong Kong look like through their perspectives?

Extraordinary Lao Cuisine takes audiences into the rarely seen world of Lao dining in Hong Kong to explore the unique flavors of this Golden Triangle hub. Host Andy Dark personally samples “Luang Prabang” specialties, such as “Sinatal Ki” Chicken, to uncover the secrets of Lao culinary traditions. The episode highlights four-color glutinous rice and introduces the medicinal culinary culture of natural dyeing using sappan wood and pale butterfly bush flowers. The proprietress also personally demonstrates how to cook "Lap Khao" (Lao crispy fried rice) and teaches the traditional three-finger technique for eating sticky rice by hand, showcasing the rich, layered sensations of Lao cuisine: crispy, sour, spicy, and sweet. The program also documents the restaurant's transition into a street-stall and takeaway operation. Though the dining room lights may dim, the enticing aroma of the food lingers on—allowing the flavors of Laos to permeate the daily fabric of the city and inspiring more people to discover this mysterious cuisine.

Dictation has long been part of Hong Kong primary school life, but new curriculum guidelines urge schools to scale it back. Some have already cancelled Chinese and English dictation, noting that high scores don’t always translate into better writing. Instead, they’re turning to reading, games, and AI-assisted learning to boost literacy. This episode explores how teachers see the changes, how parents respond to the “no dictation” revolution, and whether in an age of smartphones and voice input, students risk forgetting how to write by hand.

Many office workers rely on coffee to keep them awake every day, and some even need to drink several cups a day. Does consuming too much coffee harm their health or make their bones brittle? There are claims that drinking coffee can protect the heart and even aid in weight loss. Are these claims supported by any scientific evidence? In this episode, the “Food Fanatics” visit Mike, a local coffee farmer, to learn how to find suitable locations for planting coffee trees in Hong Kong. They experience the different stages of coffee bean processing and learn the art of tasting hand-brewed coffee. In addition, the chef host Will breaks away from tradition to design the dish “Coffee Chicken Rolls”, featuring a coffee aroma, crispy skin and tender chicken. He also teaches the audience the secret to sautéing chicken fillets to prevent them from burning or sticking to the pan. While enjoying the dish, Professor Francis Chan of the Faculty of Medicine at The Chinese University of Hong Kong shares how coffee has become part of his daily routine. To learn more about the health benefits and precautions regarding coffee, and to debunk the myths about coffee and gastrointestinal health, check out this episode of “Live Well Eat Well”. Hosts: Yuki LAW, Will LEUNG (Resident Chef) Guest: Professor Francis Chan (Specialist in Gastroenterology and Hepatology)