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
Trade Unions "Need Reform"
Metal Dilemma For U.S.
China's Media Spin
Mistaken Identity
Online Gaming Restrictions

US-China Dialogue
Suicide "Provides For Family"
Views On Korean Standoff
Chinese Girl Raped In NYC
State Media News Parody
Reaction To Group Sex Sentence

ASEAN Stands Up To China
Foreign Companies Lose Favor
Media & Public Need Each Other
China's Microblogs Are "Crucial"
IPod Turned Iphone
Fake Reporters

Front Page
US Protectionism Editorial
Foreign Media Watchdog
Reporter Wanted
Xinhua Defection?
China's Acid Rain