The end of the year is always a time for looking back and thinking about a fresh start. People’s Daily has selected the top 10 Chinese news stories from the past year to mark the turn of the calendar.

1. A-share market undergoes dramatic fluctuations

China’s A-share market experienced a sharp rise and fall this year. In the first half of the year, the key Shanghai Composite index rallied from a 3,000 mark to stand at 5,178 points on June 12—a record high in the past seven years.

However, three days after the peak, both the Shanghai and Shenzhen Composite index, two main gauges in China, took a plunge, losing a market value of 24.5 trillion yuan in 17 trading days.

To stabilize the stock market, the Chinese government has introduced measures to curb speculation, restore market confidence and ensure the interests of investors.

2. Beijing wins bid for 2022 Winter Olympics

Beijing, together with its neighbor city Zhangjiakou, won the bid on July 31 to host the 2022 Winter Olympic Games. This makes Beijing the first city to host both the summer and winter Olympics.