85℅ Believe Communication Needed in Cross-Strait Relations
United Daily News, October 2, 2023
According to United Daily News’ “Annual Survey of Cross-Strait Relations,” 85 percent of respondents believe that it is necessary to maintain cross-strait communication channels, and 40 percent hope to see strengthened cross-strait economic and trade ties.
After Speaker Nancy Pelosi of the United States House of Representatives visited Taiwan last year, mainland China suspended imports of certain Taiwanese agricultural and seafood products. More recently, the mainland further banned the import of mangoes from Taiwan.
According to the survey this year, while 42 percent of the surveyed are concerned that Taiwan’s agricultural, aquatic, and other sectors will be affected by mainland China’s further import restrictions or termination of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA), this figure is 9 percentage points lower than that of last year, and 51 percent of the surveyed are not concerned. Cross-analysis also indicates that over 50 percent of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) supporters and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) supporters are not concerned about the mainland’s import restrictions imposed on Taiwan’s agricultural and seafood products.
Regarding the direction of cross-strait economic and trade relations, although Taiwan’s trade already relies heavily on mainland China, 40 percent of the people still think both sides of the Taiwan Strait should continue to strengthen economic and trade cooperation, with 36 percent support maintaining the current status, and only 18 percent think that cooperation should be reduced. Compared with results from last year’s survey, an additional 2 percent support maintaining the current status, and an additional 3 percent of the surveyed advocate deeper cooperation.
As to frequent harassment by mainland Chinese warplanes and warships around Taiwan, the survey shows that the majority of people reasonably think cross-strait communication channels should not be closed because of the mainland’s malice. The survey finds that 85 percent of people believe there is a need to maintain cross-strait communication, two percentage points higher than that of the last year. Only 9 percent of the surveyed believe that it is unnecessary to keep cross-strait communication channels open. The analysis further shows that among DPP supporters, 74 percent think that it is necessary to maintain communication channels, while 21 percent find otherwise.
In terms of diplomatic wrestling, Taiwan’s presidents and vice presidents have conducted “transit diplomacy” to the United States for many years, but people have different views on the U.S. transits by President Tsai Ing-wen and Vice President William Lai this year. While 41 percent believe that transit diplomacy helps highlight Taiwan’s international visibility and is beneficial, 31 percent think that transit diplomacy increases Taiwan’s military and economic risks and is not beneficial; 16 percent find the pros and cons even.
On the other hand, former President Ma Ying-jeou and current Mayor Wayne Chiang of Taipei both visited the mainland this year. The survey shows that 56 percent think that the visits are beneficial, 23 percent think not, 19 percent find the pros and cons even, and 13 percent have no opinion or did not answer the questions.