MAC public opinion survey: 70 percent of the public believe it is necessary to sign the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA)
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) announced the results of its latest public opinion survey today. The survey indicates that 70 percent of the public believe it is necessary to sign the cross-strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) with the Mainland government. In addition, 60 percent of the public believe that signing the ECFA will be conducive to Taiwan's internationalization and upgrade the competitiveness of Taiwan-made products in the Mainland market. Over half (55.9 percent) of the people believe the ECFA will have a "positive influence" on Taiwan's economic development.
The ECFA issue has attracted widespread attention and become a focal point of debate between the ruling and opposition parties. To understand the public’s views in Taiwan on the ECFA, the MAC carried out a public opinion survey last week. The MAC states that the survey shows that the people have a positive view on signing the ECFA. Moreover, the vast majority of the public have a better understanding of the potential benefits of the ECFA. It is hoped public opinion that has been revealed from the survey results will help to narrow the gap in perception between the ruling and opposition parties.
This public opinion survey indicates that 80 percent of the public endorse the view that the government should continue to promote economic cooperation and the signing of economic agreements with other countries. About 60 percent of the public believe the signing of a cross-strait ECFA would be conducive to the negotiation and signing of free trade agreements and related agreements with other countries. In addition, over half of the people believe the ECFA is aimed at dealing with economic issues and will not dwarf Taiwan's sovereignty.
The survey indicates that nearly 70 percent of the public believe it will be necessary for economic and trade relations between Taiwan and mainland China to grow closer for the sake of Taiwan's economic development. In addition, over 70 percent of the public believe that in view of current cross-strait economic and trade contacts, it is necessary for the two sides to hold negotiations on "intellectual property right protection," "commodity inspection and quarantine," "investment protection," and other issues.
Moreover, although the signing of a cross-strait ECFA will further open Taiwan to Mainland imports, the survey indicates that nearly 90 percent (88.6 percent) of the people will not reduce their purchases of Taiwan-made goods as a result. The MAC indicates that low-cost Mainland products will not necessarily have an impact on Taiwan-made goods, yet it will be necessary to more precisely assess the impact on traditional industries in Taiwan.
As for Mainland investment in Taiwan, the survey also indicates that the overwhelming majority (79.9 percent) of the public support a "limited opening-up," and nearly 60 percent (58.8 percent) of the respondents believe opening Taiwan to investment from the Mainland will be more advantageous to Taiwan. The percentage of people believing that Mainland investment in Taiwan will have a "positive influence" on the development of cross-strait relations is higher than the percentage saying it will have a "negative influence" (58.4 percent: 20.9 percent).
The MAC commissioned Berkeley Business Information Greater China to conduct this public opinion survey of adults aged 20 to 69 in the Taiwan Area from April 8 to 11, 2009. A total of 1,067 effective samples were collected, with a sampling error of about three percent based on a 95 percent confidence level.
Appendix Ι: Summarized Results of the Public Opinion Survey on the Cross-Strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) and Mainland Investment in Taiwan(April 8 to 11, 2009)
Appendix ΙI: Percentage Distribution of the Questionnaire on "The Public's Views on the Cross-Strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement and Mainland Investment in Taiwan"April 8 to 11, 2009)