Looking backwards now rather than ahead. Towards the end of the year a number of mainstream Chinese Net Media sites launched an online quest to find what the public considered the News of the Year in Chinese Net Media, 2009.

While the results are yet to come out, amongst the topics in contention are the 60th National Day Celebrations,the violent riots in the western city of Urumqi, the reform of the healthcare system, and a scheme to provide pensions for farmers nationwide.

In today's Straight from the Street, we asked people: For you personally, what was the most important news story of the 2009. Here's what they had to say.

Front Page
Gansu Landslide Survival Story
Calls To Step Up Disaster Prevention
Social Responsibility Of Public Institutions
"Love Life, Love Family"
China Invests In Electric Vehicles
China's Online Marketing Industry

Top cop in probe
Cantonese protest update
Guilty thief returns bike
Panda death cover-up
Dirty shrimp
Old suicide man with reporters
Jumper saved

Front Page
Rescue Efforts Continue In Gansu
"Strong Authorities, Weak Media"
Iphone Imitator Creates Buzz
Zhan Xin: "No Bubble"
Skill In Exchange For Roof?
Craze For Plastic Surgery

Front Page
Hebei Boy's Call To Action
U.S. Wins In China-Japan Row
Captain Returns Home
Japan Reporters Denied Access
Wen Jiabao On Political Reform
Web Superbug Fears In China
China's Charitable Dilemma
Bomb Post Boy Convicted