Latest public opinion survey shows almost 70 percent of the public expect more relaxed cross-strait relations
With regard to the public’s views on the development of cross-strait relations after Taiwan’s 2008 presidential election, the results of the latest public opinion survey released by the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) show that 68.7 percent of the public believe that cross-strait relations will be more relaxed in the coming year. Only 5.5 percent of the public believe that cross-strait relations will become tenser. Furthermore, those in favor of maintaining the status quo in a broader sense exceed 90 percent (91.1 percent), while those showing disapproval of China’s stance on developing cross-strait relations under the “one country, two systems” formula also make up 81.7 percent. The results are consistent with the trends shown in previous surveys; however, the percentages in this survey have reached record highs as compared to those in previous surveys. In addition, the percentage of the public disagreeing with China's "one country, two systems" formula has reached 81.7 percent, hitting a record high in recent years. This goes to show that China's "one country, two systems" formula does not sell in Taiwan.
On the issue of direct cross-strait transportation links, the survey shows that the vast majority of the public (89 percent ─ a record high as compared to previous surveys) believe such links should be “opened conditionally,” while only 7.1 percent believe they should be “opened unconditionally.” The survey results also show that the public have reached exceedingly strong consensus on conditionally opening direct cross-strait transportation links, and that such links should be opened under the conditions of national security, dignity, and parity.
Regarding restrictions imposed by the government on China-bound investments by the Taiwanese businesspeople, the public's opinions are more divergent. 44.4 percent of the public believe such limits should be “slightly tightened,” while 41.5 percent believe that they should be “slightly eased” and 7.3 percent believe in “maintaining the status quo.”
On the issue of developing diplomatic relations, although the referendum on Taiwan's bid to join the United Nations did not pass because the number of voters collecting referendum ballots did not reach the threshold for passage stipulated by the referendum law, still 77.3 percent of the public support the government's continued efforts to promote Taiwan's bid to join the United Nations. The survey results concretely show that the Taiwanese people have not changed their determination and will to support the government's continued efforts to promote Taiwan’s UN bid even if the referendum failed to be passed. The international community must face up to such voices and provide a proper space for Taiwan's participation in international activities. Moreover, if the development of diplomatic relations will create tension across the Taiwan Strait, a total of 75.1 percent of the public will still be in favor of developing diplomatic relations.
The MAC commissioned the China Credit Information Service (CCIS) to conduct a telephone survey of adults aged over 20 in the Taiwan Area from March 23 to 25, 2008. A total of 1,068 valid samples were collected, with a sampling error of about 3 percent based on a 95 percent confidence level.