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

A sub-committee begins scrutinising the environmental impact assessment of two developments in the New Territories - the dual new town in Kwu Tung and Fanling North and the Lok Ma Chau Loop bordering Shenzhen. The government has dismissed worries that arsenic found in samples from land earmarked for the town would be a health risk. The government plans to spend up to HK$200 million clearing toxic mud in the Lok Ma Chau Loop to make way for a long-delayed technology and higher education centre.
China's defence minister, Chang Wanquan, will hold talks with his US counterpart Chuck Hagel at the Pentagon today, with discussion expected to cover a variety of issues including China's territorial disputes with its neighbours in the East China Sea and South China Sea. Chang kicked off his debut trip to the US as defence minster on Friday, when he met Samuel Locklear, commander of the US Pacific Command, in Hawaii.