主持人：Azam Khan and CM Chan
Backchat is RTHK Radio 3's week-daily current affairs discussion programme, with expert panels and listener participation. It airs every Monday to Friday from 9.05am - 10am (HKT).
Have your say by calling us on 233 88 266, find us on Facebook - Backchat on RTHK Radio 3, or email backchat@rthk.gov.hk
Listen live on Radio 3's homepage - www.rthk.hk/radio/radio3
On Friday's programme, we first look into the rare, rodent borne illness known as Hantavirus, after a cluster of passengers with the severe respiratory illness aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic was reported to the WHO.
After that, we hear from a tourism sector representative on Labour Day Golden Week, as Hong Kong recorded about 1.19 million visitors over the five day period.
After the break, we chat with the EU Ambassador to Hong Kong and Macau to learn all about Europe Day, a day marked to celebrate peace and unity in the continent.
And to wrap up the show, a mother whose daughter has Down’s syndrome will share her story and difficulties they encounter, as we look ahead to Mother's Day on Sunday.
9:05am-9:15am: Cruise ship hantavirus outbreak
Speaker:
Dr. Mike Kwan, President of the Asian Society for Paediatric Infectious Disease
9:15am-9:30am:Labour Day Golden Week
Speaker:
Fanny Yeung, Executive Director of Travel Industry Council
9:32am-9:48am: European Union Day
Speaker:
Harvey Rouse, Ambassador / Head of European Union Office to Hong Kong & Macao
9:48am-10:00am: Down's syndrome care challenges
Speaker:
Beatrice Tsang, mother of a Down Syndrome child, and member of the Hong Kong Down Syndrome Association
主持人：Azam Khan and CM Chan
On Wednesday’s Backchat, we looked into a study revealing that the consumption of artificial sweeteners is linked to a higher risk of cognitive decline. The researcher behind the study presented her findings.
We then discussed the traditions behind the Hungry Ghost Festival, which was observed in early September in 2025. This year’s was especially significant, as the Wah Fu Estate hosted the first such festival in five years.
And lastly, we heard from one of the panelists at a Hong Kong Productivity Council conference on smart plastic utilisation.
9:05am-9:30am: Artificial sweeteners and cognitive decline
Speakers:
Dr Claudia Suemoto, study author and Associate Professor of Geriatrics at the Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo
Winsy Leung, dietitian
9:32am-9:40: Hungry Ghost Festival
Speaker:
Wu Yim-chung, Chairman of the Yu Lan Festival Preservation Committee of the Hong Kong Chiu Chow Community
9:41am-10:00am: HKPC plastics conference
Speaker:
Dr Chris DeArmitt, President of Phantom Plastics
