The APEC meetings venue under the blue sky in Beijing makes a picturesque scene. WANG ZHUANGFEI/CHINA DAILY

5. APEC Blue

The expression took off with the public after the APEC meetings, referring to the amazing, albeit temporary, blue skies over Beijing. It reflected the longing of people for clean air instead of smog. With the joint efforts conducted during the first days of November proving effective, we can insist on continued efforts to make the blue sky stay longer.

－Xie Shaodong, professor at Peking University's School of Environmental Sciences

6. Deepen Reform

2014 is the first year of deepening reform in China. It is also a new starting point for the reform process. China has achieved a lot in terms of delegation and limits on administrative power and governance under the rule of law. Besides strategic deployment from the top level, it is also important to solve issues related to people's livelihoods, which can forge a new consensus on reform.

－Chi Fulin, president of the China Institute of Reform and Development and an adviser to the central government.