主持人:Azam Khan and Mike Rowse
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.hk
Listen live on Radio 3's homepage - www.rthk.hk/radio/radio3
On Friday's Backchat, we looked at the historic New York City mayoral win by 34-year old Zohran Mamdani. He became the first African-born, and the first of South Asian descent to take up the post that oversees the largest city in the United States. His victory was part of a Democratic sweep of several key district elections.
The self-styled socialist-democrat has already announced an all-female transition team as he prepares for New York mayoralty. What challenges will he face in implementing his progressive policies? We found out.
After the break, we learned more about the "Day of Dead", or in Spanish, ''Dia de Muertos'. It's a celebration to honour those who've passed away, and was marked last weekend by Mexico, Latin America and the Philippines.
And finally, we heard from a top astro-physicist in the city about the latest developments regarding the Shenzhou-21, China's crewed spaceflight that recently docked at Tianggong space-station in record time.
9:05am-9:30am: Zohran Mamdani's New York mayoral win
Speakers:
Mark Michelson, Chairman of the Asia CEO Forum at IMA Asia
Robin Smith, Chair of the Democrats Abroad Hong Kong
9:32am-9:47am: Day of the Dead
Speaker:
Adriana Falcon, Hong Kong-based Mexican musician
9:47am-10:00am: Shenzhou-21 docking
Speaker:
Prof. Quentin Parker, Director of the Laboratory for Space Research at the University of Hong Kong

主持人:Azam Khan and Mike Rowse
On Monday's Backchat, we spoke to experts about the future of our planet after the World Meteorological Organization said carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere hit record highs last year. This comes as the United Nations weather agency warned that the growth of CO2 concentration would put Earth on track for more long-term temperature increase.
After the break, we looked at China's 15th Five-Year Plan following the fourth plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China's Central Committee. The next Five-Year Plan will cover the period from 2026 to 2030. We talked to scholars and commentators on how the plan will shape the next stage of modernisation and economic development in the country.
9:05am-9:30am: Carbon dioxide level warnings
Speakers:
Leung Wing-mo, Spokesman of the Meteorological Society and former Assistant Director of the Hong Kong Observatory
Ben Horton, Dean of the School of Energy and Environment and Chair Professor of Earth Science at City University of Hong Kong
Amos Tai, Associate Professor and Director of the Earth System Science Programme, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
9:30am-10:00am: Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China
Speakers:
Andrew Leung, International and Independent China Strategist, former Director General of Social Welfare
Einar Tangen, Senior Fellow at the Centre for International Government Innovation and Chairman of Asia Narratives
Witman Hung, Director of the Greater Bay Area Research Center of the China Silk Road iValley Research Institute