China has confirmed that its economic growth last year met the government's annual target. The nation's gross domestic product rose by five percent, despite an unprecedented trade war with the United States. However, growth slowed to a three-year low in the final quarter of 2025. Chloe Feng has the details.

The 2025 economic data show China's fourth-quarter GDP slowed to 4.5 percent. HSBC's Chief Asia Economist Frederic Neumann said the slowdown was within expectations:

The Asian Financial Forum opens next week with the focus on helping Hong Kong get in line with the nation's 15th Five-Year Plan on a proactive basis, and assisting mainland enterprises go global. Natale Ching reports.

An IT expert says the Asian Financial Forum will also showcase Hong Kong's role as a fundraising hub. Azam Khan spoke with Ben Quinlan, the CEO of consulting firm Quinlan & Associates, on RTHK's Backchat programme.

Accounting giant PricewaterhouseCoopers is calling for more tax relief in next month's Budget. It proposes increasing all allowances by at least 10 percent, while suggesting a 100 per cent tax reduction for the current fiscal year, with a cap of at least HK$1,500. PwC's South China Private Clients and Family Office Tax Leader, Agnes Wong, says the firm also forecasts a significant reduction in consolidated deficit for this fiscal year compared to the government's original estimates. She spoke to Elvis Yu.

Chief Justice Andrew Cheung says Hong Kong courts fully respect people's right of expression, but that any criticism of court decisions "is only as meaningful as it is informed". In a speech marking the start of the Legal Year, the top judge says while the convictions of former media tycoon Jimmy Lai and his companies have drawn international attention, laws in Hong Kong guarantee the independence and impartiality of the courts. Hailey Yip tells us more.

Secretary for Justice Paul Lam has refuted what he called "unfounded accusations" against the judiciary. He stressed the need to uphold the rule of law, as well as public trust and confidence in the legal system. Here's Hailey Yip.

The chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association, Jose-Antonio Maurellet, has vowed to continue to speak up on matters which relate to the rule of law, judicial independence and the independence of the legal profession. He says the Bar will actively participate in defending judges and the courts from unwarranted attacks.

Representatives from the sports sector say expanding the annual Hong Kong marathon can help boost tourism, while meeting the government's policy initiatives. Around 120,000 people, including 25,000 from overseas, competed for 74,000 slots at Sunday's marathon. Charlie Chun has the details.

The birth rate on the mainland fell last year to its lowest level on record, according to official data. Sophie Hui with the details:

Spanish police say that at least 40 people are confirmed dead in a high-speed rail collision on Sunday night. The collision occurred when the tail end of a train jumped the track, causing another train speeding past in the opposite direction to derail. Jamie Clarke has more:

The death toll from a massive fire which engulfed a shopping plaza in the Pakistani city of Karachi has risen to 23. Firefighters extinguished the blaze late on Sunday, nearly 24 hours after it erupted. Authorities fear the death toll will rise as they look for dozens of missing shoppers, with their families clinging on to hope. Jamie Clarke reports:

Top scholars have castigated US President Donald Trump and Israel for their persistence on regime change in Iran. US economist Jeffrey Sachs and Vice President of the Centre for China and Globalisation, Victor Gao, spoke on RTHK's Backchat programme. He told Mike Rowse and Azam Khan that Iran has been facing covert sanctions by the US for decades:

The wealth of the world's billionaires grew three times its pace last year to reach its highest level on record, according to Oxfam. The charity says the rise has contributed to deepening economic and political divides that threaten democratic stability. Jamie Clarke has more: