1 Ai Weiwei
What a year for China’s most famous artist. He abruptly vanished down a rabbit hole after being detained by the authorities for more than 80 days, leaving his family on tenterhooks and causing global outrage. Released from ‘detention’, Ai was then accused of tax fraud (underlining the utter lack of originality in his tormentors) before vowing to fight the CCP ‘to the death.’ He ended the year being voted the most influential artist in the world. Dismiss his art, if you must; but do not dismiss his courage.

2 Chen Guangcheng
The blind Chinese human rights activist finally gathered homegrown support this year. A champion in the fight against forced abortions, as well as legitimate rights of law, 40-year-old Chen has in his time been arrested, placed under house detention, bugged, beaten, monitored and even imprisoned. But his white-hot passion for justice cannot be diminished. Thousands of Mainland admirers now support him on microblogs, and even the state-run newspapers have started to name-check his actions.

3 Li Na
Li sensationally won the French Open tennis singles title this year, making her the first Asian ever to win a Grand Slam (and ranking her fourth in the world). After her victory, she became a massive celebrity in China, hysterically praised by the media and showered with multi-million dollar advertising contracts. Since then she’s gone on a terrible losing streak and was humiliated at the China Open. No matter, Li’s incredible French victory makes her a pioneer for Chinese tennis around the world.

4 'Tangerine' Tang Chin
This 22-year-old graffiti artist was responsible for the ‘Who’s afraid of Ai Weiwei’ stencils which appeared across Hong Kong after Ai was detained in April. She was reportedly investigated for criminal damage and was facing a maximum sentence of 10 years in jail, but she remained unafraid. “I have to thank the police for drawing so much attention to this issue,” she said. “Even if I have to go to jail, I think that would be a very, very worthy price to pay.”

5 Mei Foo Sun Chuen residents
They accused a developer of stealing their land and then used their bodies to block the way of the company’s trucks. Though sued by the developer, they have been fearless in the face of corporate greed. We salute the residents of Mei Foo Sun Chuen, the true fighting spirit of Hong Kong’s middle classes. Keep fighting!

6 Law Kai-yee, Wong Yim-leung, Chu Kee-duen
Three huge cheers for this mountaineering trio! For the first time, Mount Everest was conquered by three Hongkongers at the same time. Law, the deputy general manager of Hantec Group, Wong, a rock-climbing coach, and Chu, an electrical engineer, successfully climbed to the summit of Qomolangma on May 20 and displayed the SAR’s flag there. Legends!

7 Chan Lai-fan, Carrie Tang Ka-yee
Last Christmas, two post-80s graduates started going out at nights and handing out home-made sweet soup and cookies to the homeless people of Tai Po. Chan, 22, is a financial consultant. Tang, also 22, publishes a magazine called Dream Mag which encourages young people to realise their dreams. Both, on paper, may seem like highly-functioning career-minded young women. And yet their selfless actions started the inspiring ‘Happy Seed Movement.’

8 The 'Bauhinia Heroine'
Dressed in a sexy, figure-hugging outfit and wearing a blue mask, this ‘Bauhinia Heroine’ is Hong Kong’s very own self-styled superhero. She handed out $100 bills (sometimes $200) along with instant noodles, hamburgers, biscuits and other food to the poor and needy. Who needs Batman when we have this crusader?

9 Shao Yerong
It was Shao’s dogged insistence that saved a two-year-old girl from the crumpled wreckage of the Wenzhou high-speed train disaster in late July. When the order from the authorities came that they should push the carriage (which the toddler was still trapped in) off the viaduct, this ardent police captain defied their bullish demands. He kept searching and searching until eventually he rescued the last little survivor.

10 The Mid-levels gibbon
One morning in early October, a buff-cheeked gibbon broke free from Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens and briefly went on the lam around Mid-levels. He was spotted swinging from buildings around Old Peak Road and then made a bid for freedom down Robinson Road. Veterinarians surrounded the poor fella, trying to lure him down with bananas; eventually they darted him with a tranquiliser. Like Cool Hand Luke, the plucky ape still managed to scramble up a scaffold before falling to the ground. He’s back home safe in the zoo and in a healthy condition, but some say he’s planning a tunnel escape next. 


Villains of 2011
Tony Chan (buffoon), Henry Tang (tart), John Tsang (brainless lackey), China's Railway Ministry (incompetent zombies), HKU president Tsui Lap-chee (spineless) and Stephen Lam (sly boots).