Taiwan Public Opinion

＃对未来的感觉＃关于主权1。民意的主调2。民意的走向3。大陆方面对民意的理解和使用与台湾方面不同＃关于台湾的安全＃关于两岸经贸1。直通2。投资＃对大陆的印象＃大陆民意调查有一个网站收集了 1996年至今大约六十多项有关台湾与中国关系的民意测验http://www.future-china.org.tw/indx/tw-cn_poll.htm

＃对未来的感觉Taiwan Public Pessimistic About Future: Poll，Central News Agency, Dec. 1, 2000

Pessimism about Taiwan's future reached an eight-year high as political instability and economic gloom topped the list of public concerns in a nationwide survey released by Common Wealth magazine Thursday. In the annually conducted poll, the local magazine reported that the percentage of respondents who are pessimistic about Taiwan's future, at 37 percent, surpassed the percentage of respondents who are optimistic, at 34.5 percent, for the first time. Last year, 50 percent of the respondents were optimistic about Taiwan's future, while only 17.2 percent were pessimistic. Out of the 1,134 random samples taken between Nov. 17 and 20, as high as 50 percent of those polled said they believe that their personal economic situations will deteriorate within the next year, a significant jump from last year's 24 percent. Political squabbling is cited as the "national flaw" for which the greatest number of respondents, at 30.7 percent, said they feel ashamed. Economic development, at 31.7 percent, replaced public security for the first time as the issue that elicits the most public concern, followed by personal and home livelihood at 21 percent and political stability at 19.6 percent. Putting the blame for Taiwan's current unrest on both the ruling and opposition parties, 18.5 of the respondents pointed the finger at the opposition alliance, 17 percent blamed the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, and 15 percent held President Chen Shui-bian personally responsible. As high as 37.6 percent of

the respondents said that they feel cheated by the government, which most people had hoped would bring about reform after the nation's first peaceful transfer of political power took place in May. With a staggering 63 percent of the respondents claiming that they do not believe the nation's lawmakers can truly represent the public's interests, and 38 percent saying that they do not trust the government's ability to safeguard their security and happiness, approximately 25 percent of the respondents said that they would consider emigrating. Of those who said they would consider emigration, 43.3 percent said they would prefer to move to the United States or Canada, 21.5 percent said they would like to head for Australia or New Zealand and 8.7 percent said they would like to take up residence in mainland China. On the core issue of unification versus independence that really divides the nation's political parties today, the percentage of respondents who want to see an immediate reunification with mainland China has gone up from last year's 1.3 percent to 3 percent, while those who prefer conditional unification has jumped from last year's 9.9 percent to 18.9 percent. Those who believe in maintaining the status quo still retained the majority in this year's Common Wealth poll, but this majority dropped from last year's 57 percent to 49 percent. Likewise, those who advocate declaring Taiwan independence while maintaining peaceful relations with mainland China dropped from last year's 19.3 percent to 15.6 percent. Those respondents who advocate independence at all costs dropped from last year's 3.4 percent to 1.5 percent.

 Public confidence in Taiwan's future plummets to new low，2000/12/1，，The China Post

Public confidence in Taiwan's future has plummeted to its lowest ebb in nearly a decade, a major public opinion survey revealed yesterday. It was the first time in eight years that the survey, conducted annually by the CommonWealth magazine, found that more people were downbeat — 37 percent, rather than upbeat — 34.5 percent, on the nation's future development. The magazine's first state-of-the-nation survey since Chen Shui-bian broke the Kuomintang's five-decade grip on the presidency, also revealed that the recent feuding between political parties made 30.7 percent of people polled ashamed of Taiwan. In previous years money politics and corruption — locally known as "black gold" — have topped the list of social ills, but were overshadowed this year by the political turmoil, which erupted after the Cabinet decided to scrap the fourth nuclear power plant in October. Nearly a quarter of people said they are prepared to migrate due to the mounting political chaos, with 43.3 percent saying they would resettle in the United States or Canada. The poll also detected a high level of apathy for Taiwan's politicians in general. Of the people polled, 56.9 percent believed that the opposition alliance didn't help people's welfare and 63 percent didn't believe that legislators represented people effectively. For the first time in four years, the economy was the source of greatest concern for 31.7 percent of those surveyed, followed by private or family affairs, worrying 21 percent of people. Nearly 20 percent cited law and order as a cause for concern, which topped the list for the past three years. As for perennially delicate cross-strait relations, half of those surveyed wanted Taiwan to preserve the status quo with Beijing, but 18.9 percent advocated reunification if certain conditions were attached. Nearly 16 percent of respondents believe that Taiwan should be independent if peaceful relations with Beijing can be guaranteed. Only 1.5 percent of those surveyed believed

Taiwan should declare independence regardless. The poll's findings prompted a flurry of responses from opposition and ruling politicians. The opposition alliance denied that its move to oust the president, sparked by the government's blackballing of the nuclear plant, was responsible for the public's loss of faith in politicians. The move to dismiss President Chen is a strategy aimed at making the country a better place, said Shyh Jong-shyong, a KMT legislator. People First Party Legislator Lee Ching-an echoed KMT sentiments, but conceded that the recall motion had been put on a back burner. The New Party's Lai Shyh-bao said that criticism shouldn't be aimed at the opposition, but at the party in government, which has the power to act on people's concerns. Government spokesman Su Tzen-ping, said that the government cannot be blamed for all of the nation's ills, but is prepared to take responsibility for those within its remit. Democratic Progressive Party number two, Wu Nai-jen, laid the blame at the opposition's feet, maintaining the DPP was not responsible for the current rows between the executive and legislative arms of government. The survey was carried out on 1,134 people from Nov. 17 until Nov. 20 and has a margin of error of 2.9 percent.

The KMT survey shows that More than 80% reserve generals in Taiwan are against the avoidance of Chen Suei-Bian toward “ One China, Two Context ”，2000/11/12 transfered from "zaobao.com"

According to the Huang Fuxin branch of the KMT, this survey over 1600 reserve generals of which 665 are effective shows that over 80% of them are against President Chen’s avoidance toward “ One China, Two Context “ and the concept of “decisive operation in outside territory” think that the war between the straits is unavoidable. Opinions over this war issue between the two sides differ. 27% think that Mainland China will win while 12% think that the status quo will be temporarily maintained with international intervention. And 55% think that neither side can take any advantage from the situation. But none think that Taiwan has any opportunity to win at all. As to the “ One China, Two Context ” avoidance of President Chen, 27% are against it while 52% are strongly against it; only 18% agree or strongly agree with it. Coming to the strategic concept of “fight out of boundary”, 39% disagree and another 39% strongly disagree with it, only 2% strongly agree and 13% agree with it. When it comes to the ability to carry out the operation of “fight out of boundary ”, 47% interviewed hold the opinion that only a little ability is equipped, and 43% interviewed don’t think that any ability is possessed by us; the viewpoint of Fully capacity is held by no one while only 3% still think that we acquired most ability. 42% agree that when peace between two sides is unattainable, the war will erupt in 5 years and 28% say in 10 years; 2% think less than 3 years.

＃关于主权1。民意的主调2。民意的走向3。大陆方面对民意的理解和使用与台湾方面不同

1991- 2001 Public Opinion on Cross-Strait Relations in the Republic of China, July 2001, (statistic charts)

1. Unification or Independence ? (line chart) 2. Unification or Independence ? (area chart) 3. If Developing Foreign Ties Led to Rising Tension on Cross-strait Relations,

Would You Agree with Such an Effort? 4. Whether to Develop Foreign or Cross-Strait Relations as Priority 5. The Pace of Cross-Strait Exchanges 6. Beijing's Hostility Toward ROC 7. Is the"One Country, Two Systems" Formula Applicable to Solving the Problems

Across The Straits ?

What definition of ‘One China’ would you accept?

1. One China means R.O.C  4l.4% 2. ‘One China’ means ‘One China’, not the PRC nor R.O.C. 33.3%3. ‘One China’ means the PRC 5.3% 4. I do not accept ‘One China’ as applied to Taiwan 6.2%5. No opinon 13.8%

Gallop Taiwan, conducted this survey from 1105 adults in Taiwan.(Far Eastern Economic Review, 29 October l998

p.25.) 29 October l998 p.25.)

1998/10

Record support for one country, two systems: Taiwan poll, 2001/7/3, News Source: Hong Kong iMail Newspapers Ltd., Agence France-Presse

TAIPEI: Support for Beijing's "one country, two systems'' reunification formula has surged to a record 33 per cent in Taiwan, it was reported yesterday.It marked a 10 per cent rise over an identical survey done by the United Daily News on December 31, 1999, ahead of Macau's return to mainland rule, the paper said. Four in five respondents in the latest survey also said they were unhappy with the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party government's first year in office, the daily said. The paper said the findings indicated the mainland's dynamic economic development in recent years had influenced the Taiwan public. About 24 per cent also said they would like to resettle on the mainland, up from the previous survey's 15 per cent. The survey of 1,035 people was conducted between Monday and Wednesday last week, ahead of the fourth anniversary of Hong Kong's handover.

President Chen Shui-bian has rejected Beijing's "one-China'' formula although he has pledged not to pursue his party's pro-independence platform nor push for a referendum on the issue. The former Kuomintang government had said it wanted a unified China but with the precondition of democracy and freedom. Beijing has

said Taiwan's capitalist system would stay unchanged after reunification, under the same formula it held out to absorb Hong Kong and Macau. A record 61 per cent of those surveyed were in favour of direct transport links with the mainland, 8 per cent higher than last year. The survey also showed 45 per cent of the people harboured a negative impression of the mainland, unchanged from 1999.

Mainland China denounces Chen, 2001/5/31, News Source: Taipei Times

In its latest bid to put its own spin on news coming out of Taiwan, Beijing delivered a harangue Wednesday placing the blame for the cross-strait stalemate squarely on President Chen Shui-bian's failure to recognize the "one China" principle. "The goodwill gestures expressed by the Taiwan leader are insincere and inadequate," Zhang Mingqing, spokesman for the PRC's Taiwan Affairs Office, told a news conference in Beijing. "They are intended to gloss over his pro-independence stand." Echoing the theme, the People's Daily, a PRC government mouthpiece, commented on Chen's first year in office by slamming him in a lengthy editorial for acting conciliatory while allowing pro-independence elements to trumpet their cause uncurbed. "It is the [Chen] administration that has shut down communications by refusing to accept the one China consensus struck by the two sides back in 1992," Zhang said. "We'll continually keep our eyes open for what he says and does." Struggling to mend frayed ties with Beijing, Chen has shunned assertive language on the sovereignty dispute. On May 19, he reiterated a wish to personally attend the APEC meeting in Shanghai in October and meet his mainland counterpart Jiang Zemin to discuss "any subjects." "We welcome dialogue at anytime, anywhere under the principle of democracy, equality and peace," Chen has said. But the mainland official flatly dismissed those terms as distractions to blur the "one China" issue, adding that Chen's proposed APEC attendance is politically motivated. "Nothing short of acknowledging `one China' on Taiwan's part will bring about talks," Zhang said. He added that the PRC has sufficient might to crush pro-independence forces, if necessary.

Citing polls conducted by the ROC's Mainland Affairs Council, Zhang said more and more Taiwanese people favor unification with the mainland. The number of people backing unification has increased from 18 to 24 percent in the last year, while those who said they could live with the "one country, two systems" arrangement increased from three to 15 percent, Zhang said. Although extremely careful with his language when discussing the issue of sovereignty, Chen has insisted that the 23 million people of Taiwan have the ultimate say on the country's destiny. An overwhelming majority prefer the status quo.

Chen, who is in Panama to cement bilateral ties, cast the "one country, two systems" formula as demeaning to Taiwan. "The ROC is not a local province or a part of another country," Chen said during an address to the Panamanian

parliament. Asked why mainland China has limited its contact with Taiwan to its opposition and business leaders, Zhang said Beijing welcomes "anyone who gives up the pro-independence cause to visit the country." He again called on Taiwan to lift the ban on direct links, saying restrictions have failed to prevent Taiwan investors from moving across the Strait in recent years. But Zhang denied the contention that cross-strait relations are stable, calling the optimism unfounded. "Taiwan leaders like to boast of their ability to preserve stability in the Taiwan Strait," he said. "People who say that are ignorant of the facts." In Taipei, Democratic Progressive Party caucus leader Chou Po-lun said Beijing has apparently misunderstood Chen's commitment to improving cross-strait ties. Chou said if there are ulterior motives behind Chen's conciliatory gestures, it is his hope for peace for people on both sides.

'ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS' A HARD SALE IN TAIWAN: MAC, 2001/2/14, News Source: CNA

Taipei, Feb.14 (CNA) The "one country, two systems" formula put forward by Beijing as a mechanism for reunification with Taiwan is a hard sale in the Republic of China, with between 74 to 83 percent of people opposed to it, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said Wednesday.In a comprehensive study of 56 surveys about the government's mainland policy conducted by various private firms as well as by the council last year, the MAC said that most Taiwan people disapprove of the formula, which Beijing has implemented in Hong Kong and Macaosince the two former colonies were handed back to mainland China.

The study also found that about 75 percent of the respondents in the opinion polls favor direct transportation links with mainland China in certain conditions, although more than half of the respondents said they worry about the impact on the island's security that such links would bring. Similar concerns were found about the government's policy of opening direct shipping links between Taiwan's two frontline islands-- Kinmen and Matsu -- and mainland China, a move favored by about 60percent of the respondents. They consider it to be conducive to the prosperity of the two islands, as well as helping to thaw relations between the two sides. The study said the polls remind the government that security is the people's top concern in the government's dealings with Beijing.

As to the prospects for relations with Beijing, more than 80 percent of the respondents prefer that the current status quo be maintained "in its broad sense," said the study. Although there is no significant shift in the pro-unification and pro-independence forces among various opinion polls, those who favor maintaining the status quo "indefinitely" is dipping slightly, while those in favor of maintaining of the status quo as a step toward ultimate reunion with mainland China is increasing on a small scale. The study shows that more than 70 percent of people approve of Presdient Chen Shui-bian's approach toward Beijing as outlined in his inaugural speech on May 20 last year, with more than 80 percent of the people saying Chen offered an olive branch to Beijing in the speech.

Most people in Taiwan share the view that "neither side of the Strait should be subjected to the rule of the other," and that "each side has its own sovereignty, and therefore can not be the legitimate representative of the other." The people seem divided on the government's measures to curb trade with mainland China, known as the "no haste, be patient" policy. About 30 to 45 percent of people said it should be relaxed, while 25 to 33 percent support the policy, according to the study.(By Maubo Chang)

The Poll Shows that 75% of Taiwanese choose not to be govern by PRC，2000/12/6，News Source: CAN，One poll was announced today showing that 75% of Taiwanese choose not to be ruled by the PRC while 10.8% of the interviewed say “YES” among which are mostly Northern Taiwan citizens. The rest hold no opinion or refuse to answer. Scholars suggest the government to establish its policy by following the main public opinion instead of letting the minority to decide Taiwan’s future destination.

Former legislator Huang Zhaohuei consigned its report to the National Zhongshan University Poll Research Center to conduct this research on the “One China” issue by interviewing the total of 1058 people regardless of their occupation, age, provinciality, gender and education. Regarding the relationship between Taiwan and PRC, 60.3% take it as a state-to-state relationship and think that both sides are in no subordination to the other; 46% take it as a brotherhood relationship and 14.9% take it as a hostile relationship. Besides, 51.8% interviewed think that “One China” is the Republic of China; but also 51.2% interviewed think that unification means PRC governing Taiwan; and if standing for unification or One China means being ruled by PRC. After cross-examing the interviewed approved to be governed by PRC, the tendency has been found as the percentage goes higher in the northern area. The order goes as below: Keelung/Taipei: 14%, TaoYuan/HsinChu/MiaoLi: 12.4%, TaiChung/ChangHua/NanTao: 0.1%, YunLin/ChiaYi/Tainan:9%, Kaohsiung/PingTong/PonHu:7.8%, Ilan/HuaLian/TaiTong:6.5%.

Poll shows Taiwan public unwilling to accept Chinese rule，STAFF WRITER, WITH

CAN，URL=[http://www.taipeitimes.com/news/2000/12/07/story/0000064479

In a recent public opinion poll 60.3 percent of those surveyed said they considered Taiwan and China to be independent of one another and defined relations between the two as "state-to-state" in nature. The survey was aimed at exploring views of the public towards the "one China" concept, following recent suggestions to the government from the President's Advisory Group on Cross-Strait Relations. The advisory group issued "three understandings and four recommendations" recently as a cross-party consensus on how to handle relations with China. The group's recommendations urged President Chen Shui-bian (³¯¤ô«ó) to look to the Republic of China Constitution when handling China's advocation of the "one China" principle and recommended that democracy and the interests of the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait be considered when handling disputes between the two. The survey also found that 75 percent of the respondents would not accept China's rule of Taiwan, but 10.8 percent were willing to accept Chinese communist rule. A further analysis of poll findings showed that residents in northern

Taiwan were more willing to accept rule from China than their southern Taiwan counterparts. The results of the survey were gathered by National Sun Yat-sen University by a telephone poll of 1,085 randomly selected adult residents last week. The survey also found that 51.8 percent said they think that "one China" refers to the Republic of China, Taiwan's current national title; while 51.2 percent said they think "national reunification" means that China rules Taiwan.

Poll Shows Backing for Cross-Strait Status Quo，Taipei Times, Dec. 4, 2000

Almost 90 percent of respondents to a survey released yesterday said they prefer to maintain the status quo in cross-strait relations. According to a poll conducted by the Taiwan National Peace and Security Research Association on December 1 and 2, which received 1,119 replies, up to 89.8 percent of respondents favored maintaining the status quo in relations between mainland China and Taiwan. Among this group, 39.3 percent think the development of relations between the two sides should hinge on the future interaction between the two governments, while 24.4 percent favor unification with the mainland in the future and 12.6 prefer Taiwan to be independent in the future. Another 13.5 percent said the status quo should be maintained permanently. The report also indicated that 53 percent of the respondents believe the policy statement on cross-strait relations called the "three acknowledgments and four suggestions" issued by the President's Advisory Group on Cross-Strait Relations on November 26 would have a positive effect on cross-strait relations, while 70.4 percent of the respondents disagreed with criticism made by Zhang Mingqing, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office under Beijing's State Council, who said the recommendations were merely word games. When asked if the government had displayed enough sincerity toward reaching a peaceful solution of the cross-strait issue, 69.7 percent of respondents replied in the affirmative, whereas only 19.7 percent said mainland authorities were willing to solve the cross-straits issue peacefully, the report said. As for the acknowledgements suggested by the advisory group, 90.4 percent of those interviewed expressed approval of the appeal to mainland China to respect the dignity and the "space" of Taiwan and to end military threats and work together with Taiwan to sign a peace agreement. Of the respondents, 86.7 agreed that any change to the current cross-strait situation should be approved by the people of Taiwan through democratic measures. Liao Fu-te, an international law lecturer at Tunghai University, said the results of the survey showed Taiwan seeks a peaceful and democratic solution to the cross-strait stalemate. Yan Jiann-fa, director of the Democratic Progressive Party's China Affairs Department, echoed Liao, saying the results showed that Taiwanese hoped Beijing would forsake threats of force and that Taiwanese opposed mainland Chinese policy to isolate Taiwan in the international community and suppress its democratic development of Taiwan. In related news, different parties offered diverging reactions to the advisory group's suggestions, which said the development of cross-strait relations and the handling of the "one China" principle would need to proceed according to the ROC Constitution. Former New Party Convener Chen Kuei-miao said yesterday at a forum at the party's headquarters that acknowledgement of "one China" did not imply unification with the mainland, but instead was a declaration against independence. DPP lawmaker Shen Fu-hsiung disagreed, saying the 1992 consensus

claimed that the two sides across the Strait should both retain a "one China" policy and work for the reunification of the country. Shen argued that the DPP could not accept the statement "working for the reunification of the country" because the phrase ruled out all other possible alternatives.

57% of elite in Taiwan do not think to accept “one China formula” is good for peace for Taiwan Straits， Central News Agency，2000/11/9 ，According to a report declared by PEACETIME Foundation of Taiwan on Nov. 9, there are 37% of social elite in Taiwan think that to accept “one China ” is helpful for peace across Taiwan Straits but 57% think it is not helpful or even worst. There are 250 questionnaires delivered from PEACETIME Foundation of Taiwan focus on social elite. 63 copies are effective and more than 76% of the interviewed are masters or doctors. In spite of that, there are still 40% think the attitude of leaders of both sides have positive affect for peace and 50% hold positive attitude toward the function of the Straits Exchange Foundation and Straits Exchange Association. As to military situation, although research found no obvious change in the military budget and the number of exercise with both sides of the strait, people interviewed do hold mentally negative feeling toward China’s military threat. The other issue showed in this report is about the both sides of the strait joining WTO/being integrated into the Asia-Pacific Economic Area. 73.02% of the interviewed think that joining WTO does help or improve the peace for both sides and 20.63% think that it’s very helpful; the two above together makes 93.65%. As to the integration into the Asia-Pacific Economic Area, 51.9% believe that it will be helpful to the peace for both sides while 9.52% believe that it will be very helpful; the two above together makes 61.42%. To conclude, PEACETIME Foundation hope to provide both sides of the strait new vision beyond unification or independence by holding “ peace with justice “ as the highest principal to help two sides resolve the dispute without using military force

KMT poll claims majority support over `one China'，URL=[http://www.taipeitimes.com/news/2000/07/10/story/0000043194]

OPINION: The KMT says that most people back its `one China, with each side having its own interpretation' concept. They also want the NUC to remain the principal policy-maker for cross-strait relations，The KMT yesterday released a poll which suggests 64 percent of people in Taiwan support the "one China, with each side having its own interpretation" principle for cross-strait relations. Also, nearly 60 percent of people want the existing National Unification Council (NUC, 國統會) to be the primary presidential consultation body for cross-strait relations. "This shows that the KMT's mainland policy is still approved of by the people. This should be meaningful for the new government," said Chang Jung-kung (張榮恭), head of the KMT's mainland affairs department, at a press conference in Taipei yesterday. President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) has tried to set up a cross-party task force as his consultation agency on cross-strait issues, with the

President of Academia Sinica Lee Yuan-tseh (李遠哲) as the convener of the non-institutional body. However, this plan has been frustrated by the KMT and PFP. When asked whether the NUC should stay as the primary consultation body for the president over cross-strait issues, 35.13 percent of interviewees said they "agreed," and 23.54 "strongly agreed." The poll also explored people's sense of their Taiwanese/Chinese identity. It found that 63.2 percent of people said they were both Taiwanese and Chinese, while 25 percent said they were Taiwanese but not Chinese. Only 2.7 percent said they were Chinese but not Taiwanese. "People who identify themselves as both Taiwanese and Chinese have always been in the majority in a series of polls," Chang said. "Our governmental officials should have the courage to face this fact." Premier Tang Fei (唐飛) last week, when quizzed by legislators about whether he thinks of himself as Chinese, said he was a "Chinese of the Republic of China." In the same poll exactly 64.42 percent of interviewees said they supported the "one China, with each side having its own interpretation" model for defining the possibility of future unification. The former Mainland Affairs Council Chairman Kao Koong-lian (高孔廉) interpreted the poll as showing how consistent people were over time on the basic cross-strait issues. "Basically most people still favor the status quo. This has not changed over the past nine years," Kao said. Chao Chun-shan (趙春山), a National Chengchi University professor said "the poll showed that people were calmer than the new government." He criticized the government's recent takes on cross-strait issues as being inconsistent. But, the poll also revealed 76.73 percent of interviewees agreed the Guidelines for National Unification (國統綱領) -- approved by the NUC nine years ago and kept by the KMT as the basis of its cross-strait policy -- should be re-scrutinized and revised, which is the present stance of the government. Representatives at yesterday's press conference skirted their way around statistics that were not in their favor. "The government should follow public opinion if it is to revise the guidelines. "They [the guidelines] have provided sufficient room for interpretation [of cross-strait ties] up to now," said Pan Hsi-tang (潘錫堂), a political science professor at Tamkang University. Pan said he was worried revisions to the guidelines would stir up political tensions with China.

Poll shows opposition to 'one country, two systems', Taipei, January 5, 2000 (United Daily News)

According to four opinion polls conducted by the United Daily News last year, the percentage of people who oppose the application of the "one country, two systems" formula to Taiwan remained high throughout 1999. The highest rate of opposition to the "one country, two systems" concept registered at 65%, with the lowest coming in at 54%. Meanwhile, between 18% and 25% of respondents replied that they could accept the policy for Taiwan. Statistics from the past year also reveal that the majority of Taiwan residents are confident that cross-Strait differences can be resolved peacefully. The lowest percentage recorded for people who believed that a peaceful resolution was possible was 55%.

Conversely, the highest percentage for those who believe that a peaceful resolution is impossible was registered at 27%. While a majority of Taiwan residents think that cross-Strait differences can be resolved peacefully, not many people have faith in the mainland's sincere desire to engage in the necessary negotiations. Similarly, the percentage of people who think that the mainland Chinese will never renounce the use of force against Taiwan far outstrips the percentage who believe that they may one day give up this option. While these statistics remained steady throughout 1999, the question of whether the two sides of the Taiwan Strait should engage in political talks to discuss issues of sovereignty and political status garnered significantly different responses over the course of the year. At the beginning of April 1999, 43% of Taiwan residents were in favor of such talks, while 40% were opposed. In mid-July, after President Lee Teng-hui made his remark that the relationship between the two sides constitutes "special state-to-state" relations, those opposed to political talks with the mainland outnumbered those in favor 43% to 34%. The balance then changed again a couple of weeks later after U.S. President Bill Clinton commented on the cross-Strait war of words then underway. By the end of July those in favor of talks stood at a high 51%, while those opposed had dropped to 32%. Finally, at year's end those for and against talks stood almost evenly divided at 41% and 42%, respectively. As for the status of the cross-strait relationship, statistics from six different opinion polls conducted at different times over the course of the year reveal that the majority of Taiwan residents believe that the cross-strait relationship is antagonistic. While the exact percentage of respondents who expressed this opinion varied from 44% to 58% over the course of the year, it remained throughout the year a good 30 percentage points higher than those who saw the mainland China-Taiwan relationship as friendly. At the beginning of April 1999, five percent more of Taiwan residents said that they were satisfied with the condition of cross-strait interaction than those who said that they were dissatisfied. By year's end, however, this proportion had reversed, with seven percent more saying that they were dissatisfied with the state of cross-strait interaction. An issue that is closely related to the state of cross-strait interaction is the question of whether or not to establish direct air links with the mainland. Here, Taiwan residents exhibited a change of opinion last year, as a large increase was recorded in the percentage of people who believe that there is a pressing need to establish direct air links. In early November 1999, 38% of respondents to a poll said that there was a pressing need to establish direct air links, while 49% felt that there was no such need. Just over a month later, those in favor of opening direct links increased to 46%, while those who felt there was no need dropped to 40%. Over the same period, the number of respondents who felt that direct air links should be established in the near future also increased slightly, while the percentage opposed to the opening of links in the near future declined a similar amount. At the beginning of November, 46% of Taiwan residents approved of the establishment of direct air links with the mainland in the near future, while 42% opposed such a measure. Over a month later these percentages changed to 48% for and 38% against. Nonetheless, a majority of respondents in both of these polls still felt that the opening of direct air links with

the mainland would jeopardize Taiwan's security. 66% of respondents expressed this opinion in the first poll, and 59% in the second

Poll: Taiwanese Divided on Likelihood of Unification, United Daily News, Nov. 5, 1999

As a follow-up to reports that PRC President Jiang Zemin has said Taiwan and mainland China would unite within the next 50 years, the United Daily News recently conducted a telephone poll of Taiwan residents to see what they think of Jiang's statement.The UDN poll revealed that 33 % of Taiwan residents believe that the island and the mainland will unify in the next 50 years. Meanwhile, 38 % said that they do not believe that unification will occur in that time frame. A further 20 % of respondents expressed no opinion on the matter. One of the ROC's main conditions for unification is that it must be based on democratic principles. When asked if they felt that mainland China would thoroughly democratize within the next half century, 49 % of respondents thought it would not, while only 29 % felt that such a development was possible.When asked if they would approve of unification if the mainland became fully democratic, 49 % of respondents said they would, 33 % said they would still oppose unification, while 17 % expressed no opinion. When asked about the economic disparity between the two sides, 3 % said they thought that there was no difference in the standard of living, while, 15 % expressed the belief that whatever differences exist today would be overcome within 10 years. Another 26 % said it would take the mainland 10 to 20 years to catch up with Taiwan; 18 % said it would take 20 to 30 years; and 14 % felt closing the gap would need in excess of 30 years. A further 23 % had no opinion on the matter.The telephone poll interviewed 1,185 adults in the Taiwan area and was conducted from Oct 26 to 28. It has a confidence level of 95 % and a margin of error of 2.8 percentage points.

Foreign Affairs News Keywords: CHINA , TAIWAN, POLLSource: Hong Kong StandardPublished: 07/19/99 Author: ReutersPosted on 07/18/1999 23:49:06 PDT by Jolly Decisive majority in favour of two states

STORY: TAIPEI: A public opinion poll found that 73.3 per cent of residents support President Lee Teng-hui's controversial ``two state'' view of Taiwan-mainland relations. The ratio of support was far higher than that seen in a poll on Saturday, which said 43 per cent of residents supported and 28.3 per cent opposed Mr Lee's view that Taiwan-China talks must be conducted on a ``special state-to-state'' basis. The poll said 74.2 per cent of respondents agreed with the view that relations across the Taiwan Strait already were on a state-to-state basis, and 79.1 per cent said Taiwan should press ahead with efforts to forge formal ties with other countries. The poll of 1,103 respondents, conducted on 14 and 15 July, was commissioned by a Europe-Asia research institution and had a margin of error of 3 per cent, state-funded Central News Agency reported. As for the damaging furore touched off by Mr Lee's policy shift, 33 per cent of respondents in the Saturday poll said blame should lie with Beijing, which launched a

blistering campaign of verbal attacks against the Taipei leader, while 15 per cent said Mr Lee himself was to blame. Taiwan, frustrated at its diplomatic isolation, has touched off a row with Beijing last week by junking the longstanding ``One China'' policy _ a mutually accepted formula that has prevented war between them and helped underpin East Asian security for decades that offered comfort to Beijing that Taiwan was committed to reunion, not independence. - Reuters

＃关于台湾的安全1。大陆是否会入侵2。Poll shows no worry of invasion, 2001/6/11, News Source: Central News Agency

The results a survey showed Sunday that most people in Taiwan do not really believe that mainland China will invade Taiwan in the next year or two, despite frequent military exercises conducted by the People's Liberation Army. The poll, conducted by Focus Survey Research Corporation, found that 65 percent of people asked about mainland China's military exercises on the southeastern coast of the mainland said the war games would not impact the future of Taiwan. However, 31 percent said they were concerned about the future of Taiwan. The remainder said they had no opinion on the subject. The survey also found that up to 77 percent of those who responded do not think that Beijing will invade Taipei in the next one or two years, whereas fewer than 10 percent believe that such an invasion is likely.

Asked about President Chen Shui-bian's attitude toward mainland China after his first year in office, some 47 percent said the president should maintain his approach toward cross-strait matters. Nearly 20 percent said the president should be tougher and 11 percent said the president should make more concessions toward the mainland. The poll also found that the public supported Chen's recent five-nation trip to Latin America, which included two stopovers in the United States. Some 62 percent said that the trip helped raise the international profile of Taiwan, while 21 percent said it had no bearing on the issue. About 54 percent were satisfied with his recent performance after his overseas trip, while 37 percent said that they were not satisfied, and the rest said they had no opinion. The poll surveyed those over 20 years old in Taiwan June 7-8 and respondents were contacted at random. The sample size was 1,023, with a margin of error of 3.06 percent.

Do you feel threatened by the reports of PRC military exercises?

Yes 45%, No 54%, Total: 750 votes

ICRT 2000/4/20

ICRT Daybreak Survey Results

Do you feel threatened by the reports of PRC military exercises?

Yes 47% 484 votesNo 52% 530 votes

Total: 1014 votes

Do you think China will intimidate Taiwan with further missile exercises before the Presidential elections?

Yes 58%, No 41%, Total: 599 votes

ICRT 1999/11/29

Do you think China will intimidate Taiwan with further missile exercises before the Presidential elections?

Yes 58% 353 votesNo 41% 246 votes

Total: 599 votes

Poll Finds Low Trust in Beijing , CNA, May 2, 1999

Taipei, May 2 (CNA) The majority of Taiwan people do not believe that communist China has sincerity to resolve the so-called "Taiwan issue" with peaceful means, according to the result of a recent public opinion poll released on Sunday. The telephone poll of 1,065 adults, conducted by the Chinese Association for Euro-Asian Studies on April 26-27, found that 72.5 percent of the respondents said they don't think Beijing would honor its promise of resolving the "Taiwan issue" by peaceful means. As high as 95 percent said they couldn't accept Beijing's claim that it is entitled to use force to realize the goal of unifying China. Slightly more than 94 percent said they regard the Republic of China as a country, and 89 percent nixed Beijing's allegation that the ROC no longer exists. Meanwhile, 77 percent said they regard the People's Republic of China

(PRC) as a country, but 89 percent said they don't agree to Beijing's claim that Taiwan is a province under the PRC. The non-profit association conducted the survey in connection with the eighth anniversary of the ROC government's declaration of the termination of the Period of National Mobilization for Suppression of the Communist Rebellion on April 30, 1991. Poll results showed that 70.7 percent of those surveyed know that the government no longer regards the Chinese communist regime as a rebellious group, and 65 percent said they understand that the ROC has no longer intended to resolve cross-strait issues with military force since the termination of the "Period of National Mobilization" took effect on May 1, 1991. Moreover, nearly 70 percent of the respondents said they believe that the ROC government's move to terminate the "Period of National Mobilization" and renounce the use of force in resolving cross-strait issues will contribute to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Asked about mainland China's attitude toward Taiwan after the termination of the "Period of National Mobilization," 27 percent said they feel mainland China's hostility toward Taiwan has even risen; 32 percent said they think mainland China has become less hostile toward Taiwan; and 26 percent said they do not see any change in mainland China's attitude. Analyzing the survey results, Lin Chong-pin, vice chairman of the Cabinet-level Mainland Affairs Council, said mainland authorities should endeavor to understand Taiwan's mainstream public opinion and should drop its erroneous concepts that the government can either direct the public opinion or control public opinion polls. Lin said the latest poll results showed that the majority of Taiwan people recognize the reality that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are now under separate rule. Meanwhile, Lin said most Taiwan people do not think that Taiwan is a province under the PRC rule nor do they agree with Beijing's claim that it has rights to use force to unify China. The majority of local people also doubt mainland China's sincerity to resolve Taiwan Strait issues with strictly peaceful means. "We hope mainland leaders will pay more attention to Taiwan's public opinion and handle cross-strait relations in a pragmatic manner," Lin said, adding that misjudgment of Taiwan's public opinion will not help cross-strait peace and stability and is also not in mainland China's own interest.

＃关于两岸经贸1。直通2。投资Survey reports majority wants direct China links, STAFF WRITER, Thursday, August 23rd, 2001, Taipei Times

A survey done last week by Taiwan's Chinese-language Open Weekly magazine said that over 70 percent of Taiwanese support having direct links with China. And nearly 50 percent said they supported an easing of the government's "no haste, be patient" policy.

According to the survey, the reason citizens wanted to see direct links with China opened up were "to improve the cross-strait relationship" and "to boost employment opportunities." The motivation for easing the no haste, be patient policy, according to the survey, was also "to increase employment opportunities."

The survey showed that 30 percent of Taiwanese do not support the easing of the government's no haste, be patient policy, fearing that such a move would lead to an "outflow of capital" and an "exodus of corporations." In response to the survey, Huang Tien-lin (¶À¤ÑÅï), national policy advisor to the president, said yesterday that the results shows a lack of understanding on behalf of the public. "Direct links and the revival of economy are two different things," Huang said. "Direct links will not make Taiwan's economy decline. But Taiwan's market is too small as compared with China's. If direct links were established, some corporations in Taiwan may move their headquarters to Shanghai. Taiwanese may buy property or equities in China. I don't think this will bring the revival of Taiwan's economy." Wu Hui-lin (§d´fªL), a research fellow at the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research, said, "The government's policy to limit investment only makes corporations want leave Taiwan. So the government should `open'

rather than `control.'" Wu said that the government should better publicize information about investing in China and allow the public to evaluate the risks. "The public seems unaware of the risks of investing in China. Local media often only reports the advantages. The government should make sure that public knows the truth," Wu said.

2001/8/16, News Source: Asia Times, Local maunfacturers, however, remain cautious. A survey released on Tuesday shows that following Taiwan's entry into the WTO, 73.85 percent of those polled will not change their domestic investment plans, 16.56 percent will reduce the amount of their investments, and 9.59 percent will increase them. Domestic investment willingness has been low since Taiwan's economy began taking a downturn during the fourth quarter. The Statistics Department of the Ministry of Economic Affairs survey shows that only 25.01 percent of local manufacturers polled plan to increase their investments from the levels of the previous year, while 31.91 percent plan to make less investments this year.

The survey revealed that 61.41 percent of the respondents said that the government's decision on cross-Strait direct links will have no effect on their domestic investment plans in terms of investment value, 15.35 percent said they will reduce the amount of their domestic investments, and 23.24 percent said they will boost the amount of their domestic investments.

Taiwanese Investors Favor China over Taiwan: Survey, 2001/6/11, News Source: ChinaTimes

"The government's policy to limit investment only makes corporations want leave Taiwan."

Wu Hui-lin, a research fellow

at the Chung-Hua Institution

for Economic Research

TAIPEI, June 11 (AFP) - About twice as many Taiwanese exporters are planning to increase their investments in China than in their home island after both sides join the World Trade Organisation (WTO), a survey showed Monday. The survey found around 25 percent of Taiwanese exporters plan to expand China-bound investment after Beijing and Taipei enter the world trade body, amove expected later this year or early next year. The figure was nearly doubled that of the 13 percent of respondents who said they would increase their investment at home, according to the survey financed by the economic ministry. "For the survival of Taiwanese businesses, particularly those of labor-intensive industries, many have already moved to China for its cheap labor and land," said economic professor Liu Pi-chen of National Taiwan University who conducted the survey. "More are expected to follow suit after China becomes a WTO member since their interest will be better protected under the WTO framework," she said. China and the United States last week reached an agreement on Beijing's accession to the WTO, resurrecting its hopes of succeeding this year in its15-year quest to join the trade body.

The accord announced was struck during a meeting of the 21 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) trade ministers in the eastern city of Shanghai. Although high-tech firms showed more willingness to invest locally, the poll said, they faced mounting pressure in cost reduction particularly, intailor-made manufacturing sectors. "A number of high-tech firms would eventually have to consider moving to China in order to lower production costs," Liu said. Some 1,610 local exporters were surveyed, who accounted for about 40percent of the island's total exports. Taiwan's exports in the five months to May moved down 9.5 percent at 52.71billion US dollars, according to the finance ministry. As a leading foreign investor in China, Taiwan has already pumped more than70 billion US dollars into the mainland since authorities here relaxed civil exchanges between the two sides in 1987.

＃对大陆的印象URL=[http://www.taipeitimes.com/news/2001/01/03/story/0000068208]: Taiwanese see Chinese as hard-working but otherwise as cold, vulgar hypocrites, but this is almost favorable compared with their views of China's leaders -- cruel, belligerent, insensitive and lacking integrity， CNA, TAIPEI， The people of Taiwan have a better impression of the people of China than they do of its rulers, according to the results of a poll released yesterday. The poll, conducted by a major Taiwan daily, was commissioned in order to learn about local impressions of the people and government of China, and of that nation as a whole. The media said that the opening of the "small three links" -- direct trade, postal and transport links between Kinmen and Matsu and China -- could narrow the gap of time and space across the Taiwan Strait. But in the long run, it is the will of the people

that will decide whether Taiwan moves toward unification with China or separation, the reports concluded.

Optimistic and diligent According to the survey's results, most of China's people are seen to be more optimistic than pessimistic and more diligent than lazy. However, they also were thought to tend to be more cold than kind, more vulgar than graceful and more hypocritical than sincere in their dealings with others. In terms of Taiwanese impressions of China's government, the survey conveys an image of corruption, cruelty, belligerence and a disregard of public opinion. The survey respondents also accused China's government of lacking a love of peace, kindness and integrity.

Inefficient government Some 44 percent of the respondents said that China's government is highly efficient, which is sometimes said to be a characteristic of an authoritarian state. However, 31 percent of those polled said the Chinese government is inefficient. On the impression of China as a nation, the respondents said they are most impressed with its rich culture (73 percent), followed by 53 percent who described it as an "advanced country." Other impressions tended to be more negative and included references to poverty, conservatism, authoritarianism and backwardness. As the percentage of respondents who think China is rich (38 percent) lags only six percentage points behind those who think it is poor (44 percent), it shows that the Taiwan people are having second thoughts about China after its economic reforms. Overall, only 2 percent of those polled said they have a very good impression of China, while 37 percent said they have a good impression, 36 percent said they do not have a good impression of China and 10 percent said they have a poor impression. The poll also found that those who have visited China tend to leave with a better impression of the Chinese government than those who have not visited China, but they tend to have a poorer impression about the nation in general. There is no difference in the impressions of China's people. The mass media is the main channel through which Taiwan people learn about China and the poll found that most people get their information about the country from the TV (85 percent), followed by newspapers (60 percent). The survey found that 8 percent of Taiwanese also get information from the Internet, similar to the percentage who get information from the radio (10 percent) and magazines (9 percent).

Economic news popular The trade opportunities in the mainland also have a great impact on Taiwan's people. Twenty-six percent of the respondents said they like economic news of the mainland, followed by 23 percent who expressed a preference for political news. Another 20 percent cited tourism information and 13 percent said they like to stay abreast of folk and cultural information from China. The poll found that TV shows on tourism and local customs on the mainland are very popular among Taiwan people. Up to 60 percent of the respondents, mostly in the 30 to 39 age group range, say they regularly watch TV programs that profile mainland scenery. The results were the same, irrespective of respondents' political affiliation or their stance regarding whether they favored Taiwan independence or unification with China. The poll was conducted between Dec. 25 and Dec. 28 and encompassed 1,073 adults with a margin of error of 3 percent.

＃大陆民意调查PRC Poll shows support“Taiwan Question” solved in 5 years， 2000/6/10 transfered from "takungpao"

There were several surveys held in Mainland China after Taiwan's “local” election (Presidential Election). Everybody acknowledges that 100% people there will agree to take military measures towards Taiwan after declaring independence. 88% of them think that the “Taiwan question” should be solved as soon as possible; 83% think it should be cleared up in 5 years and 85% of the opinion of setting a schedule for settling Taiwan question, said by  Wang Guo Xian, "Peace and Developping Institute" associate fellow at one seminar in Los Angeles.

PRC poll shows support for use of force ,China Times, Nov. 10, 1999, A recent poll in mainland China indicates that the proportion of people who believe the use of military force would resolve the Taiwan question has skyrocketed from a pre-Sept. 21 earthquake level of 17.5% to 81.8%. The remaining 18.2% believes that force will be used against Taiwan sooner or later in any case.

The results of the opinion survey, conducted by the Social Survey Institute of China (SSIC), and titled "Mainland China's attitudes toward Taiwan, before and after the earthquake" were released on Monday.

The poll shows increasing hostility on the part of the PRC's population to ROC President Lee Teng-hui's special "state-to-state" relationship stance. More than 50% believe that Taiwan's senior envoy to the mainland, Koo Chen-fu, should make an apology before he is allowed to visit Beijing again, and 96.9% of those polled believe that President Lee must retract his "state-to-state" relationship position before negotiations can resume.

Li Dongmin, head of the SSIC, told a Hong Kong newspaper that he was "surprised" by the level of support for the use of force against Taiwan