Opinion Poll on Cross-Strait Relations

Opinion Poll on Cross-Strait Relations

Source: China Times

February 4, 2010

1.     The two sides of the Taiwan Strait have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on financial services across the Strait.  Consequently, the financial services industries on both sides may engage in business on the Mainland or Taiwan equally.  Do you think that this is beneficial to Taiwan’s economic development?

Very helpful	12.7%
Helpful	43.9%
Unhelpful	19.4%
Completely unhelpful	13.2%
No opinion	10.8%

2.     Do you agree that it is a positive development that Taiwan banks may now invest in Mainland banks?

Completely agree	11.4%
Agree	35%
Disagree	23.4%
Completely disagree	15.4%
No opinion	14.8%

3.     Do you agree that it is a positive development that Mainland banks may now invest in Taiwan banks?

Completely agree	7.3%
Agree	29%
Disagree	33.2%
Completely disagree	20.1%
No opinion	10.4%

4.     Why do you think that allowing Mainland banks to invest Taiwan banks is a bad idea?

Do not trust the capability of Taiwan’s financial regulatory authorities	14%
Worry that Taiwan banks would be merged by Mainland banks	36.2%
Worry about Taiwan’s loss of economic sovereignty	42.7%
Dislike the Mainland	3.3%
Others	3.9%

5.     If the government tightens regulatory oversight and imposes strict limits on the shareholdings Mainland banks may purchase in Taiwan banks, would you support the decision to allow Mainland banks to own shares in Taiwan banks?

Completely agree	8.9%
Agree	45.8%
Disagree	20.9%
Completely disagree	15.6%
No opinion	8.9%

6.     Do you think that cross-Strait economic and trade exchanges are progressing too fast, just right, or too slowly?

Too fast	30.7%
Just right	39.5%
Too slowly	18.8%
No opinion	11%

Note: The latest poll was conducted on February 2 with 1,085 people surveyed. The margin of error associated with this sample is plus or minus 3.0 % with a 95 % confidence interval.

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