•Publication Date：09/05/2014
•Source： Taiwan Today
The majority of Taiwan people consider themselves ethnically Chinese, according to a survey released Sept. 5 by nongovernmental organization Taiwan Competitiveness Forum.
Conducted by TCF each quarter, the poll found 87 percent of respondents see themselves part of the ethnic Chinese community on the basis of their shared cultural heritage, ethnicity, history and language.
Hsieh Ming-hui, CEO of Taipei City-based TCF, said the number has topped 83 percent in recent surveys. “This highly stable cultural identification serves as the cornerstone for peaceful development of cross-strait relations.”
While the negative impact of the student protests in March reflects in the previous survey, Hsieh said, the incident has not hampered the development of cross-strait relations, nor the public’s attitude toward cultural identification.
Hsieh urged Taipei and Beijing to recognize this fact and re-examine their respective approaches to promoting cross-strait exchanges. “Taiwan should take advantage of its special relationship with mainland China to create more development opportunities for itself.”
According to the survey, nearly 61 percent said Taiwan people are ethnic Chinese given the current state of cross-strait relations and political reality.
Facing the rise of mainland Chinese as an economic powerhouse, around 64 percent said Taiwan should identify itself with ethnic Chinese culture so as to safeguard the nation’s interests and peaceful cross-strait relations.
A total of 52 percent believe it is acceptable to assert one’s Taiwan identity at home and claim to be Chinese while visiting mainland China for business or other purposes.
