The best stories of 2012 from South China Morning Post
From a marriage proposal straight out of Hollywood to a tragedy that touched us all, we look back at the year that was
It's been a year of unforgettable stories from Hong Kong, China and around the world.
From the magic of the Olympics in London, the tight race for the White House in the US presidential election to the shock revelation that Hong Kong chief executive hopeful Henry Tang Ying-yen had a palatial - but illegal - basement under his home, there have been stories variously jaw-dropping, depressing, emotive and exciting.
Two stories caught the eye of visitors to the Post's website more than any others this year - one a tragedy which touched the lives of everyone in Hong Kong, the other a tale that could have come out of a Hollywood film script - and may yet form the basis for a hit comedy.
The night of October 1, National Day, was supposed to be about celebration. Crowds flocked to Victoria Harbour to watch the fireworks, with the usual flotilla of boats giving revellers a unique view of the festivities from the water.