More than half of respondents to a recent opinion poll believe that membership in the WTO would be conducive to relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, pollsters said yesterday.
According to the poll, 88 percent said they are aware that the WTO has approved Taiwan's and China's membership and 52 percent said they think that WTO entry would contribute to future development of cross-strait relations.
In contrast, 11 percent said they don't think that WTO membership would be helpful to cross-strait ties, and 37 percent didn't answer the question.
The telephone poll of 1,091 adults was conducted Nov. 13 to 15 by the Cabinet-level Research, Development and Evaluation Commission (
Survey results showed that 57 percent think that WTO accession would have an adverse impact on Taiwan's agriculture, and only 11 percent said it would benefit the local farming sector. Thirty-two percent didn't give any definite answer to the question.
According to Taiwan's WTO accession terms, locally-produced tobacco and alcoholic products will become more expensive after the country becomes a full member Jan. 1, 2002. While 41 percent said they think that the anticipated wine and tobacco price hikes would affect their daily lives, 57 percent said they don't think that it would have any impact on their lives.
Meanwhile, 58 percent said they hope that the government would open direct cross-strait shipping links as soon as possible after WTO entry; 17 percent oppose the proposal; and 25 percent didn't answer the question.
While 29 percent support the government's decision to lift the US$50 million cap on the amount of a single China-bound investment project, 43 percent gave a thumb-down to the proposal.
The poll also found that 56 percent back the plan to allow local banks or financial service companies to invest in China or set up branches and affiliates there, but 19 percent disagreed with the plan.
While 52 percent support the proposal to allow Chinese people or companies to invest in Taiwan's property market, but 31 percent disapprove of the proposal.
According to the survey, 56 percent said Taiwan should open its door to Chinese capital for investment in industries and securities market, but 23 percent gave a thumbs-down to the proposal.
As for the opening of Taiwan to Chinese tourists, 81 percent said they support the plan, but 10 percent said they are opposed to the proposal. Meanwhile, 58 percent said they think that allowing Chinese to make sightseeing trips to Taiwan would affect national security, but 29 percent said they think otherwise.
The poll further found that 11 percent think that cross-strait ties are developing too fast, but 32 percent said cross-strait ties have developed too slowly, and 36 percent said the current pace is appropriate.
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