Talking points

Our editors will be looking ahead today to these developing stories ...

Police to police protest against themselves

As concerns about the policing of protests reach fever pitch, Hong Kong's under-fire boys in blue must handle a demonstration today where the ire is directed straight at them. Organisers predict that hundreds of activists angry at what they see as a growing abuse of police powers will march from Causeway Bay to the force's headquarters in Wan Chai to make their point.

Argentine delegation seeks expansion of China trade

Argentine Foreign Minister Hector Timerman will lead a business delegation to China on Monday to expand trade relations. Bilateral trade between the two countries reached US$13 billion last year. South American countries maintained a balanced trade with China, according to a recent report by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. China's exports to the region have grown at 31 per cent a year for the past five years, compared with 16 per cent to the rest of the world.

Australia hosts United Nations chief

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon visits Australia and will hold talks with Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd. The visit comes against the backdrop of Canberra's botched attempt to send refugees arriving by boat to Malaysia.

Vietnam trip to ease South China Sea tensions

China's top diplomat, State Councillor Dai Bingguo (pictured), will visit Hanoi on Monday to meet Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan amid tension over the disputed South China Sea. Dai and Nhan will jointly chair an annual steering committee on bilateral relations and discuss strategic and critical issues. Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said Beijing would work with Hanoi to remove all obstacles and keep bilateral relations on the right track.

Auspicious conditions as HK soccer season kicks off

Changes of power in the Hong Kong Football Association; new marketing and financial directors, technical executives, coaches, managers; a new professional league to kick off in the 2012-13 season; millions of dollars in support from the government; a HK$275 million facelift for Mong Kok Stadium; a new football academy and even a new 24-hour soccer channel - these are exciting times for Hong Kong football. But will English Premier League-obsessed fans vote with their feet as the 2011-12 season kicks off today with champions Kitchee playing Sun Hei?

Trip for Buddhist rite indicates slight Korean thaw

A group of South Korean civilians starts a five-day visit to North Korea to attend a joint Buddhist service. The unusual trip comes as the North and South try to ease tension on the divided peninsula. The ceremony commemorates the 1,000th anniversary of the creation of a historic Buddhist relic honoured by both countries. The trip is the first of its kind since South Korea tightened civilian access to the North last year over the deadly sinking of a warship. Pyongyang denies torpedoing it.