"Taiwan fever" has struck in China -- or so says a Chinese survey of business people keen on doing business with their Taiwanese counterparts.
The poll of some 4,644 Web surfers sheds light on a seldom discussed subject in Taiwan: what Chinese business people think about commercial ties with Taiwan.
The survey -- taken in April and May by China-based business weekly Biznews -- found that 83 percent of respondents would like to do business in Taiwan. But there is a catch: Taiwan has yet to open direct trade, mail and transport links with China.
Fifty-four percent of respondents favored opening direct links, and 27 percent said the two sides should allow the free movement of the two nation's currencies.
The trend may be is a reversal of the recent surge of Taiwanese business people rushing to travel across the Strait in search of business opportunities.
Some 37 percent of the poll takers believe that the warming of economic ties will become increasingly more important after Taiwan and China are admitted to the WTO. Most WTO watchers say that at the earliest the pair will gain membership in the trade body at year's end.
Poll respondents also indicated they were happy to have Taiwanese cash flowing across the Strait, agreeing with the statement that "Taiwan has contributed to China's economic development through investment and trade."
Taiwan's massive investments in China have surpassed US$70 billion since the Taipei opened civil exchanges in late 1987, according to an unofficial estimate from Taiwan's central bank.
Also in the survey, Chinese view Taiwanese business people as generally diligent and competent, and believe that Taiwanese managers and engineers have the edge over their Chinese counterparts when it comes to technological savvy and management expertise. But respondents concluded that the group is behind the times -- technologically speaking -- when compared with some other foreign counterparts.
About 35 percent of the survey takers wanted to visit Taiwan for sightseeing purposes, but those that had already made the trek were "disappointed" with Taiwan's urban landscape and poor hotel services. Two areas Chinese business persons noted for their scenic beauty were Sun Moon Lake and Ali Shan.
Chinese visitors to Taiwan's major high-tech facilities, such as the Hsinchu Science-based Industrial Park, said they were impressed, finding the visits to be "enjoyable."
Taiwan's high-tech products received praise in the poll, with 87 percent of the respondents giving local brands a positive assessment.
Taiwan's brand-name computer products, such as Acer and Asustek, are now hot-selling items in nearly all major Chinese cities, survey respondents said.
Participants in the survey were aged between 15 and 50, had educational levels ranging from junior high school to doctoral degrees. But, the online poll failed to include the bulk of the Chinese workforce -- blue-collar workers and peasants.
"Therefore, we can't conclude that all those in China are favorably inclined toward Taiwan based only on the survey," a Biznews executive said.
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