The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) no longer maintains dominance on cross-strait issues in the public’s view, Chinese Culture University professor Yao Li-ming (姚立明) said yesterday.
Debate on the so-called “1992 consensus” can no longer be seen as a weak spot for Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), but could rather be an Achilles’ heel for the KMT, Yao said.
A recent poll shows that 42 percent of Taiwanese are against the use of the “1992 consensus” as a basis for pursuing cross-strait ties, while 38 percent support it, Yao told a news conference in Taipei.
Photo: Liao Chen-huei, Taipei Times
The poll, which collected 1,029 samples and has a margin of error of plus-or-minus-3 percent, was conducted earlier this month by the Congress Observers Educational Foundation, a nonprofit organization headed by Yao.
While Tsai’s refusal to endorse the “1992 consensus” seemed to have cost her votes during her presidential bid in 2012, the DPP’s cross-strait policies could receive more support in next year’s elections, Yao said.
Tsai’s stance on “maintaining the ‘status quo’” in cross-strait affairs received support from 68 percent of respondents.
KMT support for the “1992 consensus” could become a liability for the party, Yao said, as the poll indicates a marked shift in voter demographics from the last presidential race — with an increase in young voters influenced by new media outlets.
The results suggest that Tsai should not easily voice support for the “1992 consensus,” Yao said.
“Cross-strait issues can no longer be seen as a trump card for the KMT that can be used to slash and injure any opposing camp at will,” Yao said.
The poll also showed that 53 percent of Taiwanese are against President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) understanding of the “1992 consensus,” which Ma said refers to a supposed tacit understanding between the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the Chinese Communist Party that both Taiwan and China acknowledge there is “one China,” with each side having its own interpretation of what “China” means.
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s (習近平) interpretation of the “1992 consensus,” which contends that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to ‘one China’ and cross-strait relations may be pursued only on the basis of such a common understanding, was objected to by 66 percent of respondents.
In the case of a future DPP administration, 41 percent of respondents said cross-strait relations would not be discontinued even if the DPP refuses to recognize the “1992 consensus,” while 37 percent said that cross-strait ties might enter gridlock.
The poll indicated that 35 percent of Taiwanese support KMT Chairman Eric Chu’s (朱立倫) actions during his recent meeting with Xi in Beijing, while 46 percent were not in favor.
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