Podcast
Debuts, Deaths and Disney
Updated: 2009-12-31 13:45
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China Daily asked its foreign readers in China and overseas to vote for their favorite stories of 2009. Here is how they answered:
Number 1 among favorite stories was the 60th anniversary of the founding of New China.
Looking at China's history over the past 60 years, it is apparent that, despite much suffering, the country has achieved huge political, economic and social success, especially during the past three decades.
A grand parade in Beijing on October 1, led by the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police Force, showcased some of China's latest achievements in defense modernization. About 8,000 military officers, along with tanks and other vehicles, formed columns stretching three kilometers.
The military parade was followed by a civilian procession featuring six massive performing groups and 36 formations of about 100,000 people. In addition, 60 floats represented everything from the country's geographic areas to last year's Beijing Olympics.
The Number 2 top story was US President Barack Obama's historic visit to China.
Barack Obama became the first United States president to visit China in his first year of taking office when he arrived in Shanghai on Nov 15 as part of his first Asia tour.
During one of his trademark town hall-style meetings with youths at the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum on November 16, the 48-year-old president reiterated that the US does not seek to contain China's rise and welcomes China as a "strong, prosperous and successful member of the community of nations".
After the speech, Obama departed for Beijing, where he spent two days in talks with President Hu Jintao, National People's Congress Standing Committee (NPC) Chairman Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao.
China and the US signed a joint statement on November 17th highlighting joint efforts to combat climate change and promote the clean energy industry. The countries also reiterated a commitment to building a "positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship in the 21st century".
Obama capped his four-day visit with a trip to the Great Wall in northern Beijing on November 18th.
Number 3 on the top list of stories was climate change.
Leaders from about 100 nations, along with thousands of negotiators from almost 200 countries, flocked to Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, for the United Nation's 12-day climate change conference on December 7th. The talks were intended to seal a deal on the fight against global warming after the Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012.
Premier Wen Jiabao joined world leaders for the crucial last two days of negotiations, during which he told US President Barack Obama climate change is a global challenge, as well as an important field for cooperation between China and the US. The Chinese premier said his country has always regarded addressing climate change as an important strategic task.
The conference ended on December 19th with the Copenhagen Accord. Although the document was not legally binding, it firmly upheld the basic framework and principles established by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol.
（中国日报网英语点津 Helen 编辑）
About the broadcaster:
Dan Chinoy is a reporter and editor for the China Daily's website. A graduate of Columbia University, he grew up in Beijing, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Dan has experience in Hillary Clinton's Senate Office in Washington, and Fortune Magazine in Beijing, the U.S. Consulate in Shenyang. Dan speaks Chinese, but not as well as he should.
