October 21, 2015
MAC Press Release No. 58
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) today (Oct. 21st, 2015) announced the results of its latest public opinion survey of "Views on Exchange Visits by the Heads of the Competent Authorities for Cross-Strait Affairs and on Cross-Strait Relations." The survey showed that the great majority of the public identify the government's stance on "the 1992 Consensus, whereby each side maintains its respective definition of one China," in which one China means the Republic of China (56.3%), as well as affirm the many results achieved by the "Hsia-Zhang Meeting." More than 80% of the public support continuous promotion of normalized official interactions across the Strait (80.6%) and institutionalized cross-strait negotiations (82.5%) to handle cross-strait exchange issues and promote institutionalized cross-strait development.
The MAC stated that, , Minister Hsia led a delegation between October 13 to 15 to Guangzhou and Dongguan in the Mainland to attend the Fourth Meeting between Heads of Cross-Strait Competent Authorities. Regarding follow-up issues for cross-strait negotiations, the survey results showed that the great majority of the public support the advancement of talks on the Cross-Strait Trade in Goods Agreement aimed at reaching a consensus and conclusion before the year-end (65.9%), prompt communication to establish reciprocal institutions so as to pragmatically handle unresolved problems (80.8%), accelerated communication for the signing of the cross-strait environmental protection agreement (81.5%), and are in favor of facilitating a meeting between the SEF and the ARATS to reflect upon implementation efficiency of signed agreements (76.8%).
The MAC further pointed out that nearly 70% (68.3%) of the public support Minister Hsia's solemn statement to the Mainland side on its failure to fully communicate with Taiwan and comprehensively announce its implementation of the card-type "Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents" (card-type Taiwan Compatriot Travel Certificate). More than 80% of the public approve the position that, on significant measures involving both sides of the Strait, the two sides should respect each other, strengthen communication and coordination through the liaison mechanism established between cross-strait competent authorities (85.2%), and strengthen monitoring and implementation of cross-strait issues through this liaison mechanism (80.4%).
During the trip, Minister Hsia also visited Guangzhou, Dongguan and other areas to interact with Taiwanese students and businesspeople there. The survey found that the vast majority of the public support the MAC Minister's visit to places of deep historical significance to highlight the reality of the ROC existence (70.7%) and also support his visits with Taiwanese students and enterprises in the Mainland to express care for them (78.8%).
The MAC stated that during the "Hsia-Zhang Meeting" the two sides met face-to-face to frankly communicate and pragmatically exchange views on important issues of concern to both sides. The results of the meeting enjoyed a high level of public support. The competent authorities on both sides will carry out follow-up communication and negotiations on related issues as soon as possible. The government will also continue to consolidate institutionalized cross-strait negotiations and exchange, as well as mechanisms for normalized official interaction, in keeping with mainstream public opinion and on the basis of "the 1992 Consensus, whereby each side maintains its respective definition of one China," to create favorable opportunities for the well-being of the people and the peaceful and stable development of cross-strait relations.
The MAC commissioned the Taiwan Real Survey Co., Ltd. to conduct a telephone survey of adults aged 20 and over in Taiwan from October 16 to 18 2015. A total of 1,069 valid samples were collected, with a sampling error of plus or minus 3.00% at a 95% level of confidence.