“Our important goal is to achieve inheritance by passing on science from generation to generation.” Professor Dennis LO Yuk-ming, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, is referred to as the “father” of Non-invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT). The scientist who received numerous awards is not only down-to-earth, but even very much in touch with reality. Apart from comparing laboratories to scientists’ kitchens, he would think out of the box by drawing inspiration from daily activities, such as cooking instant noodles and watching a film, and transform it into the power of helping others. In the past, pregnant women might need to receive amniocentesis (taking amniotic fluid from the womb) to test the risk of fetal Down syndrome, which might lead to fetal injury or even miscarriages. NIPT invented by Professor Dennis LO Yuk-ming has brought about a breakthrough. Simply by taking blood samples from pregnant women, NIPT can test whether the foetuses have Down syndrome or other genetic diseases in a safe manner. Since its introduction in 2011, NIPT has been adopted globally by more than 90 countries and helped more than 10 million pregnant women every year. Professor LO received a number of awards for this, including the Future Science Prize, known as “China’s Nobel Prize”, in Life Science, and the 2021 Breakthrough Prize, known as the “Oscar of Science”, in Life Sciences. Spending most of his life in scientific research, Professor LO is not detached from reality. He likes to be a down-to-earth scientist, emphasising the possibility of using the research results achieved in laboratories to help others. In his dialogue with young scientists, Professor LO said, “Think about what you invented. You hope it can eventually help others instead of only existing in medical literature or libraries.” Professor LO attaches great importance to nurturing the next generation. He thinks that actually many scientific discoveries or inventions could only be made with the continuous efforts of many generations of scientists, so inheritance is very important. Moreover, young scientists have the greatest creativity, and opportunities must be given to them as far as possible, so that they can do their jobs well.

According to the Veterinary Surgeons Board of Hong Kong, as of September 30, 2022, there are approximately 1,094 registered veterinary surgeons in Hong Kong. On the other hand, information submitted to the Legislative Council by the Food and Health Bureau and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department in 2021 showed that the ratio of veterinarians to pets in Hong Kong was 1:410 in 2018, compared to 1:2,543 in Singapore and 1:2,374 in the UK. Some pet owners complain about the shortage of veterinarians and the high costs. Additionally, the first batch of veterinary graduates from the Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences at the City University of Hong Kong officially registered to practice in Hong Kong in October 2023, signifying that Hong Kong will gradually welcome a new generation of locally-trained veterinarians. Compared to the previously imported veterinarians, will the local graduates gain market recognition? And how will their addition impact the local veterinary market?

Description: ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) was established in August 1967 in Bangkok, and has come to feature ten (soon to be eleven) member-states in Southeast Asia. The comprehensive rise of ASEAN is one of the most remarkable phenomena that have defined global geopolitics and economics over the past two decades. With over 660 million people and a dynamic, young, and vibrant workforce, Southeast Asia is doubtlessly a region to watch for those who are interested in the rise of Asia and the increasingly multipolar world order. As China’s most international, globally embedded, and cosmopolitan city, Hong Kong has a critical role to play in bridging Northeast and Southeast Asia. Through rigorous, robust conversations with leading thinkers, businessmen, politicians, and academics in the region, this programme seeks to platform, exhibit, and demonstrate the fascinating intricacies and pluralities that comprise ASEAN today. In this episode, Brian Wong talk to Hashim Djojohadikusumo, Co-Founder of Gerindra Party of Indonesia.

It will also be a year of five spectacular festivals of pop and jazz music, dance, Chinese opera and family arts. Buoyed by stellar international headliners ranging from jazz legend and prodigy Herbie Hancock and Joey Alexander, to top local band RubberBand; contemporary dance makers Florentina Holzinger and Daniel Yeung, xiqu powerhouses Zhejiang Xiaobaihua Yue Opera Troupe and GuoGuang Opera Company to family favourites Circa and Fevered Sleep, this expansive festival season is poised to unlock the door into a realm of endless excitement and possibilities.

Hong Kong Cyclothon will kick off on 13 October, with enthusiastic riders from around the world speeding through the cityscape of Hong Kong. Ride will be moved to West Kowloon for the first time, and there will be a sports carnival in the Wonderland to offer participants a space for relaxation and entertainment. Meanwhile, families can enjoy leisure cycling in East Tsim Sha Tsui

Chow Chun-fai is recognised by many for his works that combine movie references and scenes and events from Hong Kong life. His latest exhibition at Tang Contemporary Art draws on a collection of photographic images that he’s collected over the past two decades. "Yeh Shih-Chiang in Ink: Constructing Eternity" features around 20 of the artist’s ink paintings. Yeh, who was born in Guangdong in 1926 and died in Taipei in 2012, studied in the last class of students at the Guangzhou Municipal Junior Art College under the ink painter Gao Jianfu. Yeh’s life took an unexpected turn in 1949 when he and a few classmates planned an art expedition to Dunhuang that was diverted to Taiwan due to the ongoing civil war. He spent the rest of his life there. Hanjin Tan previously appeared on The Works in 2009 when he released his own jazz album, Raw Jaz. On that occasion he sang Antônio Carlos Jobim’s “Wave” for us. Since then, in addition to being a singer and songwriter, he’s also occupied himself as a record producer, arranger, mixer, actor, and advocate for Web3 and blockchain. Fifteen years later, we’re welcoming Hanjin back for a reunion and the chance to chat about his upcoming concert to celebrate the 15th anniversary of “Raw Jazz”. And today he’s bringing us another Jobim classic.

Fine Art Asia 2024 will feature exquisite antiques, art and design, as well as Japanese and Chinese crafts, ink art and photography. The fair has earned a worldwide reputation for quality and elegance.

Kit Wong is a third-generation Thai born and raised in Hong Kong. “It feels like being caught in between, not fully a Thai nor a Hongkonger. It’s like being stranded in the middle of the road.” Kit looks and lives just like a local young man, seamlessly integrates into Hong Kong's local culture. He participated in a reality dating show, hoping to find love and take roots in Hong Kong. He aspires to serve the community by applying to be a firefighter. Yet, he maintains strong ties to his Thai origins. He speaks fluent Thai and believes in Buddhism, the major religion in Thailand. During his childhood, he briefly became a novice monk in Chiang Mai and served a year in the Thai military. Is he a Hongkonger, a Thai, or a Thai living in Hong Kong? How does he differ from the first and second generation Thais in the way they look at Hong Kong?