Surveys reveal that up to 12% of the country supports unification with China, including five of its citizens in a Taipei restaurant
Retired businessman Harry Chen believes Taiwan is part of China and would be better off if it agreed to be a Chinese province.But this month a poll in Taiwan found almost 12% of respondents still support unification. Other surveys have shown that figure to be about 5%-10%. The number has declined over the years but a stubborn segment saying yes to “one China” suggests a sizeable group of people in Taiwan are not being pushed towards independence like so many of their compatriots.
Taiwanese politics is famously combative and starkly divided, operating in an almost equally partisan local media environment. The ruling Democratic Progressive party is accused by China of being secessionist and by critics of exacerbating tensions by courting global support. These fringe groups, often seen protesting or harassing pro-Taiwan delegates and events, have “disproportionate” airtime considering, but they know how to mobilise, and some are mysteriously well-funded, says Fell.
Chen is at the more hardline end. He said life for everyone would be better if Taiwan just accepted it was a Chinese province and its democratic government peacefully accepted the benefits of China’s economic strength and global power. “What normal people want in life is good living, peace and happiness,” he said. “People who want independence, that’s bullshit – they’re lying to themselves.”