MAC poll shows support for flight route handling

2015-03-26

The response of the ROC government to mainland China’s new flight route M503 is supported by the majority of people in Taiwan, according to a poll released March 23 by the Mainland Affairs Council.

A total of 62.7 percent of respondents said they side with the government’s protest over the issue and demand Beijing communicates with Taipei on reaching a consensus before moving ahead.

As for shifting the flight route six nautical miles west of the path first announced by mainland China in January and suspending implementation of three east-west routes W121, W122 and W123, 57.4 percent accept the result.

In light of this recent development, 55.3 percent support the upcoming meeting between MAC Minister Andrew Hsia and his mainland Chinese counterpart Zhang Zhijun during the latter’s trip to outlying Kinmen County. Over 68 percent back a reciprocal visit by Hsia to mainland China later this year.

The survey also shows that 60.2 percent believe ongoing cross-strait negotiations with Beijing will help ensure regional aviation safety. A total of 79.8 percent said both sides should continue institutionalized talks, while 72.3 percent support reciprocal visits by the heads of the MAC and its mainland Chinese counterpart to address related issues in a pragmatic manner.

Regarding the bill for a cross-strait agreement supervisory mechanism proposed by the Cabinet last April, 76.1 percent are in favor of fast-tracked legislative review. Around 68 percent view the bill as strengthening the review process of cross-strait pacts by lawmakers, and 75 percent see it as promoting transparency and public involvement.

The poll also showed 84.7 percent in favor of maintaining the cross-strait status quo, while 38.4 percent said exchanges between the two sides are proceeding at an adequate pace.

Conducted on behalf of the MAC by the Election Study Center of Taipei City-based National Chengchi University March 16-19, the nationwide survey received 1,081 valid responses from those aged 20 and above. It has a 95 percent confidence level and a margin of error of 2.98 percent.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=228689&CtNode=413)