by
N. Peter Kramer
The poll showed 82% support for the current government in continuing to promote the peaceful and stable development of cross-strait relations in accordance with the Republic of China (Taiwan) Constitution and President Ma Ying-yeou’s principle of no unification, no independence and no use of force. Interesting is also that 87% prefer to continue the policy of official exchanges and instutionalised negotiations between Taiwan and Mainland China as happened the past eight years under Ma’s presidency.
The result of the survey is a clear message for President-elect Tsai Ing-wen, who will be inaugurated on May 20. For obvious reasons Tsai hasn’t unfold yet her policy regarding the cross-strait relations. But she said recently that ‘there is a big gap between the will of Taiwan people and the mainland expectation’.
The results of the survey came public one day before President Ma met with President-elect Tsai Ing-wen
reaffirming bipartisan cooperation in the lead up to the latter’s May 20 inauguration.
“It is an honour to have served the people during the past eight years, fulfilling my duty entrusted by the ROC Constitution,” Ma said. “I will do my best to ensure a seamless transfer of power, setting an example for our successors to follow.” These sentiments were echoed by Tsai, who viewed the meeting as significant in terms of democracy, responsibility and cooperation. “With democracy as our society’s core value, we are witnessing the presidency changing party control for the third time,” she said.
“It is our common responsibility to maintain stability and establish a mechanism for government transition to proceed without a hitch. We will let people see that political leaders can rise above differences, opening up opportunities for further cooperation.” This marks the two leaders’ first encounter after the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) chairwoman won the ROC presidential election in January. During the meeting, they exchanged opinions spanning diplomacy, energy, pension reform and issues related to the South China Sea. Tsai is keeping an open mind on the government’s South China Sea stance and hopes to learn from the current administration’s experiences in both regards. But did Ma and Tsai talk about the Cross Strait negotiations? The status quo between Mainland China and Taiwan? It was not reported…
*The telephone poll conducted March 18-22 nationwide, comprised 1108 valid responses from citizens aged 20 and above at a confidence level of 95 percent and margin of error of plus or minus 2.94 percent. It was carried out on behalf of the ROC Mainland Affairs Council by National Chengchi University’s Election Study Center.
