60 Percent of Taiwanese Residents Feel Increased Threat from China: Survey

60 Percent of Taiwanese Residents Feel Increased Threat from China: Survey

60 Percent of Taiwanese Residents Feel Increased Threat from China: Survey

Key Highlights:

1. Nearly 60% of Taiwanese residents perceive an increased threat from China.
2. 80.6% believe Taiwan and China are separate countries.
3. U.S. credibility has increased, with differing views on defense commitment.

A survey conducted by Taiwan-based Academia Sinica reveals that nearly 60% of Taiwan’s residents believe the threat from China has escalated in recent years, according to Voice of America. James Lee, an assistant research fellow at Academia Sinica’s Institute of European and American Studies, highlighted the survey’s focus on the perceived credibility of the United States, the threat from China, and Taiwanese interpretations of signals from both nations.

The survey found that 80.6% of respondents believe Taiwan and China are separate countries, while 13.6% think they belong to the same country. Additionally, U.S. credibility among Taiwanese residents has risen by 7.2 percentage points, from 34% in 2023 to 41.2% this year. Opinions were divided on whether the U.S. would defend Taiwan if former President Trump were reelected, compared to the current Biden administration.

Jude Blanchette, Freeman Chair in China Studies at CSIS, noted a consistent and stable trend over the past four years, with only about 10% of Taiwanese considering China credible.

The survey results come amid heightened tensions between Taiwan and China. On Sunday, Taiwan’s Ministry of Defence reported detecting 22 PLA aircraft and 8 PLAN vessels around Taiwan, with 15 aircraft crossing the median line into Taiwan’s ADIZ. The Ministry monitored the situation and responded accordingly.

These developments occur as Taiwan prepares for its annual Han Kuang military exercises, scheduled for July 22-26. The exercises aim to refine operational plans in response to the growing threat from the Chinese PLA. This year’s focus is on unscripted combat scenarios to test troops’ responses to decentralized command, updated Rules of Engagement (ROE), and nighttime operations, as reported by the Central News Agency of Taiwan.

(Inputs from Agencies)

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