▲ Liberty Square in Taipei, Taiwan (File Photo)
Two-thirds of Chinese people support peaceful solutions to the Taiwan issue, while 60 percent of Taiwanese people do not trust U.S. President Donald Trump to protect Taiwan's interests, according to respective surveys.
According to Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao on October 7, a survey conducted by the U.S. non-governmental organization The Carter Center and Emory University from April 16 to June 26 among 2,500 Chinese adults showed that 66 percent of respondents supported official negotiations for a peaceful resolution of the Taiwan issue.
Respondents supporting the expansion of cross-strait cultural and trade exchanges reached 83 percent and 82 percent, respectively, while 72 percent favored easing regulations on employment and residency for Taiwanese people in the Chinese mainland.
The favorability rating of mainland Chinese residents toward Taiwan scored 61 out of 100, the highest among surveyed countries and regions.
Russia followed with 59 points, followed by Singapore (49 points), Iran (42 points), the European Union (40 points), Thailand (39 points), and South Korea (38 points).
However, the atmosphere changed significantly in questions assuming Taiwan's declaration of independence.
If Taiwan formally declares independence, 77 percent of respondents—the highest share—supported limited military action against frontline Taiwanese areas such as Kinmen and the Matsu Islands.
A naval blockade of the Taiwan Strait and economic sanctions were supported by 59 percent and 56 percent, respectively.
On the other hand, only 25 percent supported a full-scale military attack on Taiwan.
The Carter Center analyzed that while Chinese people generally prefer a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to cross-strait relations, support for coercive responses, including military force, is high if Taiwan formally declares independence.
Another survey targeting Taiwanese people showed low trust in President Trump's commitment to defending Taiwan's interests.
In a poll released the previous day by Taiwan's Formosa Television, 60.3 percent answered that they did not trust President Trump to protect Taiwan's interests when asked about the matter.
Those who said they did not trust him much accounted to 30.1 percent, and 30.2 percent said they did not trust him at all.
In contrast, 26.1 percent responded that they trusted him (19.8 percent trusted him somewhat, and 6.3 percent trusted him very much).
Regarding the impact of the U.S.-China summit held in Washington last month on Taiwan, 38.2 percent answered that there would be no effect, while 24.9 percent assessed it as unfavorable.
Respondents who viewed it as favorable to Taiwan stood at 11.2 percent.
This survey was conducted from September 29 to October 2 among 1,201 adults aged 20 and older in Taiwan.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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