MAC Press Release No. 005
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) today (June 2, 2022) announced the results of a public opinion survey. The survey showed that nearly 90% of the public oppose the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP's) long-term diplomatic pressure against Taiwan, including its obstruction of Taiwan's participation in international organizations or activities (89.6%) and opposition to Taiwan's participation in the “Indo-Pacific Economic Framework” (89.3%); in addition, public opinion disapproves of the CCP's recent obstruction of Taiwan's participation in the World Health Assembly (WHA) and its false claim that under the precondition of the "one China" principle, it has made proper arrangements for Taiwan's participation in global health affairs and has been caring for the health and well-being of Taiwanese people (86.3%). The survey found that the CCP’s intensifying pressure on Taiwan amid the international concern for cross-Strait peace and support for Taiwan’s expansion of international space has led to a stronger wave of opposition in the mainstream public opinion in Taiwan to CCP’s imposing of its unilateral political framework and suppression of Taiwan’s international participation.
The MAC emphasized that, facing security risks in the Taiwan Strait and region created by the CCP, more than 80% of the public approve of the government's position that the objective reality and current status quo across the Taiwan Strait is that "the Republic of China (Taiwan) and People's Republic of China (PRC) are not subordinate to each other" (82.2%). A similar percentage of the public disapprove of the CCP's proclaimed "one China" principle and its position that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory (83.6%). Additionally, more than 90% of the public oppose the continued activities of CCP military aircraft and warships around Taiwan and exercises directed against Taiwan to intimidate Taiwan (90.6%). A similar percentage of the public disapprove of the CCP's long-term misinformation and disinformation campaign to divide Taiwan internally and disrupt Taiwanese society (87%). Nearly 80% of the public disapprove of statements by the CCP criticizing Taiwan for colluding with foreign powers, seeking independence to spark provocation, and creating tensions in the Taiwan Strait (78.1%).
The MAC further stated that over 70% of the public support the government's position of firmly refusing the CCP's "one country, two systems," defending national sovereignty and Taiwan's democracy (75.8%), showing determination on self-defense, and cooperating with like-minded countries to defend democracy and freedom and maintain regional peace (70.5%). Regarding post-pandemic cross-Strait exchanges, over 70% of the public approve of the progressive resumption of exchanges by mainland Chinese people visiting Taiwan after situation of the COVID-19 pandemic eases on both sides of the Taiwan Strait (71.6%) and support the government's approach of strengthening security management for mainland Chinese people coming to Taiwan in conjunction with adjustments to border controls (76.7%).
The MAC stressed that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign state. Beijing has long maneuvered the mispositioned "one China" principle, limited Taiwan's international space, and increased political and military coercion against Taiwan. These acts, which run counter to international order and peace, have raised tremendous concern in the international community and are resolutely opposed by public opinion in Taiwan. The government will continuously improve Taiwan's self-defense capabilities and deepen cooperation with like-minded partners such as the US, Japan, among others. Taiwan is determined to safeguard its national sovereignty and the security in the Taiwan Strait. The MAC also calls on the Beijing authorities to renounce the use of military intimidation to resolve differences and face up to the objective fact that the Republic of China (Taiwan) exists. This is the only approach beneficial to benign cross-Strait interactions.
The MAC commissioned Taiwan Real Survey Co., Ltd. to conduct a telephone survey of adults aged 20 and over in Taiwan from May 26 to 29, 2022. A total of 1,070 valid samples were obtained, with a sampling error of plus or minus 3.00% at a 95% level of confidence.