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Taiwanese Urge For Bilateral Talks With China
(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in Taiwan believe their president should seek negotiations with his Chinese counterpart, according to a poll by the ERA News Channel. 71.4 per cent of respondents believe Chen Shui-bian should hold talks with Hu Jintao to reach agreements concerning the cross-strait future.
Taiwan was formed in 1949 after the government of Chiang Kai-shek was forced out of China as Mao Zedong's communists were gaining prominence. To this date, Mainland China considers Taiwan a "renegade province" and reserves the right to bring it under control.
On Mar. 14, legislators in China's National People's Congress passed the anti-secession law, which aims to prevent Taiwan's independence. The legislation calls for the use of "non-peaceful means and other necessary measures to protect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity."
Last week, Kuomintang Nationalist Party (KMT) leader Lien Chan concluded a visit to Mainland China. Some government officials criticized the trip, saying the opposition leader is not a representative of the Taiwanese administration and should not have met with Jintao. Su Tseng-chang—chairman of the governing Democratic Progressive Party (MCT)—described the event as "a national crisis that is worrying us."
This Saturday, Taiwanese voters will elect the temporary National Assembly to oversee constitutional matters. On May 7, Chen criticized China's behaviour, saying, "They sought to get involved in Taiwan's domestic affairs to direct the chess game."
Polling Data
Do you believe Chen Shui-bian should hold talks with Hu Jintao to reach agreements concerning the cross-strait future?
Yes, definitely | 41.8% |
Yes, somewhat | 29.6% |
No | 14.0% |
No reply | 14.1% |
Source: ERA News Channel
Methodology: Interviews to 948 Taiwanese adults, conducted on May 3 and 4, 2005. Margin of error is 3.2 per cent.