The year 2014 has seen a major change in the Internet opinion setup. The online stages used to be dominated by a few opinion leaders, known as Big Vs, or verified microblog users, who set the agenda and even influenced what common Net users loved or hated. But this year the cyber sphere has become more diversified. It is a positive change.

Some may argue about the causes of such change. But the result is what the country needs. Unlawful opinions and rumors have been gradually withdrawing. The Internet is no longer a place free from legal restrictions.

There are still varied opinions on the Internet, some very sharp. There are also people venting their anger at all kinds of online forums or expressing their views that may not fit into the mainstream. The Internet stays an alternative channel to expose alleged scandals, its functions as a platform to express opinions and monitor wrongdoings are intact.

In the past, some of the Big Vs, many boasting millions of followers each, did not just raise their opinions on certain issues. They joined hands to stir up waves over an issue as if organizing a massive protest.

As most citizens chose to keep silent, the voices of the Big Vs and their followers on the Internet made it seem as if the entire "public" agreed or disagreed on the issue. A local problem often evolved into a "public incident," and the anger was often aimed at the country's political system, which created a sense of social crisis.

Some Big Vs were particularly interested in spreading rumors that carried political connotations. Some people have been taking advantage of the Internet to launch ideological offensives.

The function of the Internet as a place to express opinions and monitor wrongdoings must be protected. But some people have abused the Internet on some of the famed online forums.

We believe the authorities will not just block channels of speech in their managing of the Internet - it will do no good to the country's reform and opening-up, as discontent may pile up under the surface.

But freedom of speech on the Internet is not without limits. It cannot challenge China's basic political system. All sides have to take a constructive attitude in dealing with this question.

Some Western media depicted a dark picture of China's Internet measures in 2014. It only reflects the typical political stance from many in the West. If Internet freedom goes the way they wish, it will become a huge trap for China.

China is still going through a major transformation. More problems will emerge as voices on the Internet interact with reality. It will be more helpful for opinion leaders to objectively and reasonably help with exchanges between the public and authorities, instead of stoking social divides.