Amid Taiwan’s Defensive Posturing Against China, Public Sentiment Remains Largely Unperturbed by Threat of Conflict

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While Chinese People’s Liberation Army fighter jets sped toward Taiwan last Friday, daily life on the self-governing island remained largely undisturbed.

Andy Huang, an owner of a restaurant in Taipei, has grown indifferent to military provocations from mainland China.

“For three decades, talk of a Chinese invasion has been constant,” he stated.

In an attempt to bolster its defenses, Taiwan’s government has allocated nearly $19 billion for U.S. military equipment and has extended the duration of military conscription for men to one year starting in 2024. However, a significant portion of the populace does not share the government’s sense of urgency.

The nuanced perceptions many Taiwanese have towards China could partially account for this. Although surveys suggest that the majority of Taiwanese are opposed to reunification, a considerable number are drawn to China’s burgeoning economy, as well as its shared language and culture. Others have simply grown inured to the constant talk of an impending threat.

Beijing asserts sovereignty over Taiwan, and its increasingly aggressive posturing has led some to speculate that it might resort to military force to claim the island. The situation has drawn comparisons from American politicians and Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen to the case of Ukraine.

Taiwanese authorities have been vocal in expressing concern. “To maintain peace, we must fortify ourselves,” President Tsai stated during a recent memorial service marking past military conflicts between Taiwan and China.

For most of the public, however, this sense of emergency is not palpable.

Coco Wang, who identifies with Chinese culture without considering herself Chinese, recalls summers spent traveling in China. Her grandparents had fled mainland China during the Communist takeover in 1949, leading to the establishment of separate governments in Taiwan and mainland China.

Wang, who has previously worked in Shanghai, is contemplating a return due to the abundant opportunities in China. “There is a sense that earnest effort in China can lead to meaningful achievement,” she noted.

In 2022, 39% of Taiwan’s exports were directed to China, its largest trading partner, despite new trade barriers arising from escalating tensions.

Wang acknowledges that political undertones are inevitable when working in China, recalling instances when colleagues jokingly labeled her a “Taiwanese separatist.”

A prevailing sentiment among the Taiwanese populace since the 1990s has been to maintain the status quo—rejecting both reunification and a formal declaration of independence. However, polling conducted by National Chengchi University’s Election Study Center has revealed a shift in identity among the Taiwanese public, with a growing majority identifying solely as Taiwanese.

Huang, for instance, once believed he was Chinese but now identifies solely as Taiwanese. His restaurant in Taipei features a “Lennon Wall” paying homage to the prohibited democracy movement in Hong Kong.

For some, like Chen Shih-wei, the cultural and emotional connections to China are deeply ingrained. Chen, whose family has been in Taiwan since the Ming dynasty, has no illusions of reunification occurring in his lifetime but is concerned about the potential for conflict.

Despite mounting tensions on the governmental level, Wang emphasizes that the discord is not reflected among the people. “The Taiwanese and mainland Chinese are largely amicable toward each other. Why must it be so contentious?” she questioned.

The path to resolving years of accumulated tension, whether military, diplomatic, or economic, appears elusive, but the dissonance seems to be between governments, not the people.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Taiwan-China Relations

More about Taiwan-China Relations

• Taiwan’s Defense Expenditure
• U.S.-Taiwan Arms Deals
• National Chengchi University’s Election Study Center Polling Data
• Historical Overview of Taiwan-China Relations
• Cross-Strait Relations: A Comprehensive Guide
• Taiwan’s Public Opinion on China: Recent Surveys
• Sunflower Movement in Taiwan: A Recap
• The Hong Kong Democracy Movement: Context and Impact