Internet users have been asked to suggest the Chinese characters and words they feel best describe China and the world in 2014.

The annual poll is being conducted by the Chinese National Language Monitoring and Research Center, and for the first time this year, the organizers are taking public opinion into account.

People came submit their favorite words and phrases via social media like Sina Weibo and WeChat, and the Internet is already abuzz with their opinions.

Phrases relating to the Party's anti-graft campaign, such as "hunting tigers" and "swatting flies," political slogans about the "rule of law" and "streamlining administration," and words related to international events such as "Ukraine crisis," "missing Malaysia Airlines flight" and "Ebola virus" are already among the most popular.

"APEC blue," a term coined this month and used to describe the clear skies during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings in Beijing, is also a candidate.

"House" and "positive energy" were named as the character and word of the year last year, the organizers said.

This year's results will be announced on December 19, along with "Catchword of the Year" and "Internet Slang of the Year," they said.

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