Recognition of Chinese identity grows in Taiwan: Survey

TAIPEI -- A survey of more than 1,000 people in Taiwan has showed that 51.9 percent of respondents identify themselves as Chinese.

The result was 5.1 percentage points higher than that of a survey two years ago, when the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) took office, according to a report released by think tank Taiwan Competitiveness Forum (TCF) recently.

The poll conducted by TCF also found that 64.6 percent of the respondents said peaceful reunification would bring a better future for the island.

Pang Chien-kuo, a professor at Taipei's Chinese Culture University, said the changes prove that the public are realizing the tricks played by the DPP, which is incapable of breaking the deadlock in cross-Strait ties.

Moreover, the public are becoming more objective and rational about the cross-Stait ties, said Pang.

When asked to comment on the mainland's policy package on expanding cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation introduced on February 28, around 60 percent of the respondents said it would win public support.

It was a clear demonstration of the people's dissatisfaction with the current administration's handling of cross-Strait ties, said Hsieh Ming-hui, chief executive officer of TCF.

A total of 1,076 adults aged 20 and older, across Taiwan's 22 cities and counties, were surveyed by telephone in mid-April.