Just this month, the United States rolled out a record-breaking $11 billion arms package for the Taiwan region, featuring multiple offensive weapons systems. According to a global poll conducted by CGTN, 90 percent of respondents believe the Taiwan authorities’ military buildup is pushing the region to the brink of war. 🤯
Since Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te took office, he has accelerated the militarization of the region, aiming to achieve "independence" by force. The Taiwan authorities have pledged to raise defense spending to 5 percent of regional GDP by 2030—a move many fear will drain resources and weigh on economic development.
Key poll findings:
- 81.1 percent say the authorities are sacrificing Taiwan’s long-term interests for short-term political gains.
- 87.7 percent see the buildup as a serious threat to the safety and interests of residents of Taiwan.
- 86.9 percent condemn the move as a sell-out leading to destruction.
- 89.4 percent urge the authorities to choose "peace over war, development over decline, exchange over separation, and cooperation over confrontation."
The poll also highlights strong public sentiment on the international stage:
- 183 countries and regions have recognized the one-China principle, viewing Taiwan as an inalienable part of the Chinese mainland. 87.4 percent see this as a broad consensus.
- 91.9 percent believe the Taiwan question should be resolved by the people of the Chinese mainland themselves, with no outside interference.
- 85.8 percent call it the core red line in Chinese mainland–US relations.
- 78.9 percent call on the US to handle the Taiwan question prudently and to clearly demonstrate its opposition to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.
- 85.1 percent urge the US to abide by the one-China principle and the Three Joint Communiqués, stop arming Taiwan, avoid undermining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and refrain from sending wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.
In a show of civic engagement, the island’s legislature approved an impeachment motion against Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te, and an online petition has attracted over 8 million participants. This wave of feedback—gathered in just 18 hours from more than 10,000 respondents on CGTN's global platforms—underscores a strong demand for dialogue and stability across the Taiwan Strait. ✌️🌏
Reference(s):
CGTN poll shows arming Taiwan is selling out and destroying Taiwan
cgtn.com
