MAC Press Release No. 026
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) announced the results of a public opinion survey today (June 1, 2023). More than 80% of the public support President Tsai Ing-wen's positions on cross-Strait relations, including the stances that "the peaceful resolution of the Taiwan Strait issue is a global consensus, the mainstream public opinion in Taiwan, and the shared responsibility of both sides of the Taiwan Strait" (84.2%); that "cross-Strait differences should be resolved through dialogue on equal footing and that neither side can change the status quo through non-peaceful means" (84.2%); and "staunchly upholding the 'four commitments' and not bowing to pressure" (80.0%). Over 90% of the public support the government's stance on safeguarding national sovereignty and Taiwan's democracy (90.8%) and on engaging in joint efforts with like-minded nations to promote peace in the Taiwan Strait (92.5%). The survey results show strong mainstream public support for President Tsai's firm policy stance on maintaining peace and stability in cross-Strait relations.
The MAC stated that, in view of the continued obstruction of Taiwan's participation in the World Health Assembly (WHA) by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), nearly 90% of the survey respondents support the government's position that the people of Taiwan should not be excluded from the World Health Organization and other global health systems (89.8%). Nearly 80% of the public disapprove of the CCP's claim that Taiwan cannot participate in the WHA as it refuses to accept the "one China" principle under the "1992 Consensus" (78.3%). In addition, over 90% of the public disapprove of the CCP's long-term use of military threats and economic coercion against Taiwan, luring Taiwan's diplomatic allies and pushing for their severance of ties with Taiwan, and obstructing Taiwan's international participation on all fronts (91.7%). The survey also showed that over 90% of the public disapprove of the CCP's long-term use of misinformation and disinformation to divide the Taiwanese society (90.4%). The survey findings show that the CCP’s hybrid threats, pressure, and cognitive warfare have already sparked strong antipathy in the Taiwanese people.
The MAC further noted that with respect to post-pandemic cross-Strait exchanges, an issue that all sectors of our society have been focusing on, more than 80% of the public support the government's gradual resumption of healthy and orderly cross-Strait exchanges in consideration of the state of cross-Strait interaction and calls from the public to conduct trade and other activities (84.2%). Similar percentages of the public agree that before reopening relevant aspects of cross-Strait exchanges, the government-authorized units on both sides should first communicate and make proper arrangements (87.2%); and support the government's position that cross-Strait exchanges and interaction should be conducted based on equality and dignity and in line with relevant laws and regulations to mitigate the effect of the CCP's united front work and infiltration (85.3%). Furthermore, over 70% of the public support the government's approach of strengthening safety management for mainland Chinese residents seeking to enter Taiwan as it adjusts its border control measures (76.5%).
The MAC emphasized that promoting the positive development of cross-Strait relations is the shared responsibility of both sides of the Taiwan Strait and the expectations of the international community. In the face of the CCP's harsh rhetoric and military threats against Taiwan, the government has maintained a consistent cross-Strait policy stance. That is, we have never been provocative or adventurist. We stand firmly on safeguarding our national sovereignty and Taiwan's democracy and freedom to ensure the rights and well-being of Taiwan's 23 million people. The MAC called on the other side across the Taiwan Strait that, as the post-pandemic cross-Strait exchanges gradually resume, it should abandon its negative actions, such as imposing political frameworks on and engaging in military intimidation against Taiwan. The CCP should adopt a peaceful, rational, and mutually respectful approach and handle cross-Strait differences in a pragmatic manner.
The MAC commissioned Taiwan Real Survey Co., Ltd. to conduct a telephone survey of adults aged 20 and over in Taiwan from May 25 to 28, 2023. A total of 1,077 valid samples were obtained, with a sampling error of plus or minus 2.99% at a 95% level of confidence.