The majority of people in Taiwan believe new models of cross-strait interaction should be established in order to maintain peace and stability, according to a poll released Nov. 3 by the Cabinet-level Mainland Affairs Council.
Nearly 90 percent of respondents said leaders on both sides should find new ways to interact given the political climate, the MAC said. The vast majority also said authorities on both sides of the strait share joint responsibility for safeguarding the well-being and interests of the people, the council added.
The poll revealed that 86.9 percent of those surveyed agree Taiwan has the right to meaningful international participation and should not be subjected to political interference. It also showed roughly 85 percent feel that the future of cross-strait developments should be determined by the 23 million people of Taiwan.
Also included in the survey were questions regarding the 30th anniversary of the opening of cross-strait exchanges. Nearly 80 percent said both sides should cherish the achievements accumulated over the past three decades and work to cement long-term peace and prosperity. More than 70 percent expressed support for President Tsai Ing-wen’s policy of extending goodwill and not returning to the old path of confrontation or yielding to pressure.
The key to guaranteeing positive cross-strait interactions is to adhere to the principles of putting the people first, setting aside differences and fostering mutual understanding, the council said.
Conducted Oct. 27-31 by the Election Study Center at National Chengchi University in Taipei City, the telephone poll surveyed 1,077 adults above 20 years of age nationwide with a margin of error of plus or minus 2.99 percent and a 95 percent confidence level. (KWS-E)
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