A recently released third-party poll suggests that Chinese mainlanders cherish deep affection and goodwill toward Taiwan, while drawing a clear line from the Taiwan separatist forces and their activities, according to an expert.
The survey by Emory University and the Carter Center found that mainland's favorability toward Taiwan was higher than that toward any other economy.
The mainstream public opinion on the mainland, shaped by a desire for greater exchange and an aspiration for deeper integration, closely matches the government's long-standing, consistent policies regarding Taiwan, according to Tang Hua, director of the Cross-Strait Relations Office under Xiamen University's Taiwan Research Institute in Fujian Province.
"The State Council Taiwan Affairs Office has repeatedly emphasized the importance of facilitating people-to-people exchanges across the Taiwan Strait and expanding exchanges at non-governmental and grassroots levels. The sentiments of the mainland public align closely with this policy direction, demonstrating that deepening cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation and promoting integrated development is built on a solid foundation of public support," she said.
This poll directly challenges the false narrative of a so-called "mainland threat" long hyped up by Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authorities and exposes the distortions they use to smear cross-Strait relations, according to Tang.
"The mainstream sentiment of the mainland is goodwill toward the Taiwan compatriots, with a desire for exchanges and peace. Meanwhile, Taiwan separatist forces seek to sever historical and cultural ties and stir animosity across the Strait -- actions that fundamentally run counter to the shared national feelings of compatriots on both sides," she said.
The poll also found that over 40 percent of respondents do not agree that "force should not be used against Taiwan under any circumstances," indicating that the mainland people have a clear bottom line against Taiwan separatist forces, according to Tang.
"Mainland people cherish peace and understand the costs of using force, so they do not speak lightly of war. However, should Taiwan separatist forces' activities and external forces' interference cross the red line, the mainland public would also support the adoption of limited, precise and necessary countermeasures," she said.
The key takeaway from the poll is that peaceful development and cross-Strait exchanges and integration represent the mainstream public sentiment on both sides, according to Tang.
"To translate this goodwill among people into concrete action, both sides of the Taiwan Strait should prioritize expanding exchanges in culture, economy and trade, and interactions among young people. Strengthening exchanges, deepening cooperation and moving toward peaceful reunification represent the mainstream public opinion on the mainland and the right path to ensure the steady and long-term development of cross-Strait relations," she said.
Third-party poll reflects mainland people's deep goodwill toward Taiwan: expert
