Got the free extension last year, but not this year. Understandable. Will I drop from Platinum to Gold? or to whatever I earned last year?

I can get Gold through United's partnership program, but just wondering if I need to link accounts before they issue the new cards. Platinum wasn't worth it, but Gold is.

Same here. I don't know what my new status would be but the website offered me Platinum buyback at a reduced rate (40K points) yesterday. Presumably I lost my Platinum status for 2015.

I saw an official reply from Chinese FT saying that it will be soft landing.

Yes, Marriott provides soft landings for elite levels each year. So if you are Plat this year and don't make it for next, you will be Gold.

Though if you have some stays coming up very quickly, you might try calling MR to see if they might give you a Plat challenge to get you back up to Plat status without having to pay the 40K points.

How do I see my status for next year? Pretty sure I did not re-qual for Plat but wondering if they are still going to give me gold.

Unfortunately once they reset the counters your only option is to either contact them or wait until March 1. This is why I keep a spreadsheet so I know where I stand, how far to requalifying (with future stays noted), and have details should I find any missing stays. Depending upon what your spend level with Marriott has been, there is a chance they will extend your status, but again, either contact them or waiting is the only way that I know of.