Talking Points

Sentencing in building collapse case

A 77-year-old repairman is sentenced for breaching building regulations while working on a To Kwa Wan tenement which later collapsed, killing four people. Chu Wai-wing faces up to three years in prison and a fine of up to HK$1 million after the Kowloon City Court found him guilty of carrying out work likely to cause injury to people and damage to property. Chu, who denied all charges, is the only person brought to trial over the building collapse in January 2010.

BOJ governor chairs final meeting

Outgoing Bank of Japan governor Masaaki Shirakawa presides at his final two-day policy meeting before handing over the reins to his replacement. Shirakawa has been credited with helping to avert damage to Japan's financial system during the global credit crisis and in the aftermath of the March 2011 earthquake, but has made little progress in overcoming deflation. Asian Development Bank chief Haruhiko Kuroda has been nominated to replace him.

NGO chief gets in the good books

Former Microsoft executive John Wood visits Hong Kong to discuss the growth of his charity organisation, Room to Read. Wood's group has opened more than 16,000 schools and 15,000 libraries, while distributing some 12 million books around the world. Wood, who is also a member of the Clinton Global Initiative's advisory board, will give a speech at the Foreign Correspondents' Club titled "Creating Room to Read: a story of hope in the battle for global literacy".

Car production figures revealed

The International Organisation of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers releases global car production numbers for last year at the Geneva Motor Show. Analysts remain bullish about the prospects for car companies on the mainland, as the number of car owners is still relatively small compared with China's population of more than 1.3 billion.

Hong Kong Spirit programme launched

The search begins for 10 ambassadors who embody the best in Hong Kong for the annual Hong Kong Spirit Programme. The initiative is organised by a group of individuals who say they share a strong sense of commitment to the future of Hong Kong. The objectives are to bring the best out of the city and its people and to ensure that the "Hong Kong spirit" prevails. Ocean Park boss Allan Zeman will attend the launch ceremony.

AirAsia eyes the Indian market

India's Finance Ministry considers a proposal by Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia to become the first foreign firm to enter India's domestic market. The airline hopes to set up a joint venture with Tata Group and another company, taking advantage of New Delhi's liberalisation of aviation policy in September. It hopes to operate three or four planes by the end of this year, with an initial investment of about HK$50 million.