The Chinese public maintains relatively amicable sentiments toward Taiwan and strongly prefers non-military routes to improving cross-strait relations, a survey conducted by the US-based Carter Center and Emory University showed.
The “China Pulse” research project, which polled 2,506 adults between Oct. 27 last year and Jan. 1 this year, found that 86 percent of respondents support strengthening cultural ties, while 81 percent favor deepening economic interaction.
The report, co-authored by political scientists at Emory University and advisors at the Carter Center, indicates that the Chinese public views Taiwan’s importance through a lens of shared history and culture rather than geopolitical or technological competition.
Photo: Reuters
Regarding Taiwan’s semiconductor industry, only 45 percent of Chinese respondents cited high-tech manufacturing as a key factor in Taiwan’s value.
Instead, 80 percent believe unification would resolve a “long-standing historical issue” and end the “century of humiliation.”
Despite the focus on peaceful engagement, the survey found no clear mandate for either pacifism or militarism.
The percentage of respondents who believe unification should not be achieved by force “under any circumstances” fell from 51 percent in a pilot poll between July 7 and Aug. 15 last year to 38 percent in the new poll.
However, half of the respondents said that the use of military force would only make the Taiwan issue worse.
In a hypothetical scenario where Taiwan declared independence, 81 percent of the Chinese public would support limited military operations on outlying islands.
In contrast, only 32 percent expressed support for a full-scale military attack against Taiwan.
Demographic data indicate that peaceful views are most prevalent among women, lower-income people and those with less formal education.
For instance, 54 percent of the lowest-earning respondents supported a peaceful-only approach, compared with roughly a quarter of high earners.
Ultimately, the findings indicate that while the Chinese public remains committed to unification in principle, there is significant reticence regarding the risks of a major conflict.
Most prefer a negotiated peace and policies that encourage Taiwanese students and businesspeople to live and work in China.
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