Taiwanese disapprove of Chinese political interference, says Mainland Affairs Council poll

TAIPEI - The majority of people in Taiwan disapprove of Beijing’s efforts to suppress the country’s international space, according to a poll released  by Taiwan’s Cabinet-level Mainland Affairs Council (MAC).

Around 82% of respondents said politically-motivated pressure by China on the East Asian Olympic Committee to cancel the 2019 East Asian Youth Games in central Taiwan’s Taichung City was not conducive to the healthy development of cross-strait ties. A total of 85.2% disagreed with China’s pressure on international airlines to change their designation of Taiwan.

 
Such actions by the authorities in Beijing and their general attitude toward Taiwan were viewed as “unfriendly” by 65.1% of respondents, according to the poll.
 
To facilitate the healthy development of cross-strait relations, 82.9% of respondents said that both sides should uphold mutual respect, set aside differences and engage in communication without political preconditions.

Similarly, 82.5% said that all exchanges should adhere to the principles of equal dignity and the rule of law, and should not be politically motivated.
 
The MAC said that, as a responsible member of the international community and model of freedom and democracy in the region, Taiwan had consistently worked to maintain cross-strait stability.

The Government was committed to safeguarding Taiwan’s dignity and sovereignty, protecting the well-being of the people and defending their free and democratic way of life, the Council said, adding that Taiwan would not bow to China’s political manipulation.
 
Future cross-strait development could not be determined unilaterally, the MAC said, urging China to “squarely face the reality that the two sides are under separate rule” and to respect the opinion of the people of Taiwan.

Only by resolving differences through constructive dialogue could cross-strait relations be improved, the Council said.  www.ttonline@mofa.gov.tw  (ATI).