MAC public opinion survey: Public opinion supports holding the
cross-strait negotiations as scheduled
The Mainland Affairs Council today announced the results of its latest public
opinion survey. The survey results show that 60 percent of the public approve
holding the fourth cross-strait negotiations in Taiwan before the end of this
year. Nearly 55 percent of the public support promoting an Economic Cooperation
Framework Agreement (ECFA). Furthermore, on the issue of Taiwan's international
participation, the majority of the people (60 percent) believe that improved
cross-strait relations are conducive to expanding Taiwan's international space.
Moreover, over 70 percent of the public support the government to give priority
to participating in specialized agencies of the United Nations.
The two sides plan to hold the fourth Chiang-Chen Talks in Taiwan before the
end of the year. The MAC expresses that the overwhelming majority of the public
support the continuation of institutionalized cross-strait negotiations.
Although developments in cross-strait relations have recently attracted outside
attention, the survey results indicated that the vast majority of the public
hope cross-strait negotiations can be conducted as scheduled.
The survey also asked about public opinion on policies related to Mainland
spouses. The survey found that over 70 percent (77.1 percent) of the public
approve of granting work rights to legal Mainland spouses. Moreover, over 60
percent (66.3 percent) of the public support the government's move to shorten
the period required for Mainland spouses to obtain an ROC ID card from eight
years originally to six years. However, 50 percent of the people do not support
further shortening this period. The MAC says that relaxed measures for Mainland
spouses were implemented from mid-August. The public opinion survey showed that
the vast majority of the people identify with this policy.
Regarding the public's views on other topics long observed by the MAC, the
overwhelming majority of the public (87 percent) still support "maintaining the
status quo defined in a broader sense," a result that has remained highly
stable. Moreover, the percentage of the public believing that Taiwan should
"maintain the status quo indefinitely" has continued to trend up. Regarding the
pace of opening up cross-strait exchanges, a larger percentage of the public
(44.7 percent) think the pace is "just right," higher than the percentage saying
it is "too fast" (33 percent) or "too slow" (12 percent).
The MAC commissioned the Election Study Center of National Chengchi
University to conduct a telephone survey of adults aged 20 and over in the
Taiwan Area from September 24 to 26, 2009. A total of 1,091 effective samples
were collected, with a sampling error of about 2.96 percent based on a 95
percent confidence level.
Appendix Ι:
Summarized Results of the Public Opinion Survey on Current Cross-Strait
Relations (September 24~26, 2009)
Appendix ΙI:
Percentage Distribution of the Routine Questionnaire Survey on "The Public's
Views on Current Cross-Strait Relations" (September 24~26, 2009)