主持人：Azam Khan and Philip Wong
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
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On this programme, we first look at the expanded "Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles" arrangement. Starting from July 25, approved vehicles from five more Greater Bay Area cities – Shenzhen, Foshan, Dongguan, Huizhou and Zhaoqing – will be able to enter Hong Kong and stay for up to three days.
After that, we talk to a scholar on why acquiring a driving instructor's licence in Hong Kong has become so competitive. This came as the government received over 55,000 applications for 332 new licences.
After the break, we hear about a study by the Hong Kong Metropolitan University on how retired professionals can alleviate the labour shortage.
And finally, a lawmaker tells us all about the proposal of an "AI for all" initiative by the government that will earmark HK$50 million to host more than 200 events over the next two years.
9:05am-9:21am: Expansion of southbound travel scheme
Speaker:
Caspar Tsui, Executive director of the Federation of Hong Kong Hotels Owners
9:21am-9:30am: High demand for driving instructor's licenses
Speaker:
Timothy Hau, Transport expert and Honorary Associate Professor at the HKU Business School, The University of Hong Kong
9:32am-9:47am: Hong Kong Metropolitan University's study on retirees
Speaker:
Raymond Kwong,Assistant Professor at the School of Arts and Social Sciences, Hong Kong Metropolitan University
9:47am-10:00am: "AI for All" initiative
Speaker:
Ray Wong, Lawmaker
主持人：Azam Khan and Philip Wong
On Wednesday's programme, we started off with the latest on Gaza. Although a precarious ceasefire with Hamas remains in place, Israel continues to launch targeted strikes in the besieged enclave, killing hundreds since the truce was struck. We heard from experts on the challenges being faced in talks on the second phase of the ceasefire.
After that, we learned about last month's decision by Softbank to sell off its shares in Nvidia to bank roll its AI investment in the US - namely in the Stargate Project.
After the break, we spoke to the executive director of the Federation of Hong Kong Hotel Owners about how some hotels opened its doors and provided accommodation for residents affected by the Tai Po blaze.
And finally, we wrapped up the programme with a look at the highly anticipated 2026 World Cup draw, which was announced last week.
9:05am-9:30am: Second phase of the Gaza ceasefire
Speakers:
James Dorsey, Adjunct Senior Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University
Kenneth Houston, Lecturer in International Relations at Mahidol University International College in Thailand
9:32am-9:39am: Softbank's selling of Nvidia shares
Speaker:
Emil Chan, Foundating chairman of the Association of Cloud and Mobile Computing
9:39am-9:50am: Hotels supporting Tai Po fire victims
Speaker:
Caspar Tsui, Executive Director of the Federation of Hong Kong Hotel Owners
9:50am-10:00am: 2026 World Cup draw
Speaker:
Chris Lau, football commentator
