More than 80% of Taiwanese reject one country two systems according to poll
The results of a poll released today showed that more than 80% of respondents rejected the idea of “one country, two systems,” and a majority believe that there is no “1992 consensus.”
The survey undertaken by the Cross-Strait Policy Association was conducted to measure the public’s response to a series of recent statements by leaders in China and Taiwan that Foreign Policy labeled “dueling speeches.”
In a New Years Day address, President Tsai Ing-wen unveiled the “four musts” policy, demanding that Beijing recognizes Taiwan’s existence, respects Taiwan’s freedom and democracy, deals with the country on peaceful and equal terms, and communicates only on a government-to-government basis.
One day later, Xi Jinping gave a speech commemorating the 40th anniversary of the “Message to Compatriots in Taiwan” released by the Standing Committee of the Fifth National People’s Congress on New Year’s Day in 1979.
In his January 2 speech, Xi emphasized that “Taiwan is part of China and the two sides across the Taiwan Strait belong to one and the same China.”
The principles of “peaceful reunification” and “one country, two systems” are the best approach to realizing national reunification, Xi said.
President Tsai responded to Xi’s “Message to Taiwan Compatriots” in another speech in which she once again rejected the 1992 consensus – a theoretical concept that the two sides had agreed in 1992 that there is only one China, but open to different interpretations by the two governments.
Tsai said that Taiwan “absolutely will not accept ‘one country, two systems’.”
The Cross-Strait Policy Association survey found that 61.6% of the public are satisfied with Tsai Ing-wen’s response to Xi Jinping’s message, with only 28% expressing dissatisfaction.
More than 80% (80.9%) of people surveyed disapproved of “one country, two systems,” and only 13.7% agreed.
The results also showed that 55.7% believe that there is no “1992 consensus,” while 34.1% believe that the consensus exists.
On Tsai’s “four musts” 85.2% supported the policy, with 10.9% disagreeing.
The survey was conducted January 5 and 6, with 1,074 respondents selected randomly by calling residential telephones.
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