The News Lens
Date: 2016/04/27
Compiled and translated by Shin-wei Chang
According to a recent online poll in China, 85% of Chinese support using force to unify with
Soldiers prepare for a beach raid during the 2010 Han Kuang military exercise in Pingtung, southern Taiwan, April 29, 2010. Taiwan on Thursday held its biggest joint military exercise in over a year with the army, navy and air force participating, despite warming ties with Beijing ever since China-friendly Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou took over in 2008. REUTERS/Nicky Loh (TAIWAN – Tags: MILITARY POLITICS) – RTR2D8XJ
Taiwan. What is more, 60% support unification, even at the cost of waging a total war.
On April 25, state-owned Global Times and the Shanghai Academy of Social Science launched an online survey on the unification issue.
China Times reports, tens of thousands answered the questionnaire within a day. There were 25 questions, asking whether people support using force, what is the best timing for doing so, the scale of a possible war, whether the US would intervene in the war and what citizens would be willing to sacrifice to achieve unification.
It turned out that 96% of the participants recognize Taiwan as part of China. More than 60% support the unification at the cost of waging a total war – as opposed to a war being isolated to specific regions.
Moreover, 39% would sacrifice their lives to reach unification.
In addition, 82% of respondents think the number of supporters for Taiwan’s independence will only increase in time, and nearly 60% of them say the best timing for carrying out the unification by force is within the next five years. [FULL STORY]
