70 percent will fight if China attacks, study shows

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwanese-American U.S. Air Force captain Jimmy Chien unveiled findings of mainstream public opinion on Taiwanese defense in a paper published by the Washington-based think tank Global Taiwanese Institute on Wednesday (Nov. 1).

The paper, "Conversations with the Taiwanese about Taiwan's Defense," revealed a solid public tendency to fight in the event of a Chinese invasion, with 70 percent willing to resist, 20 percent leaving, and the remaining 10 percent choosing to surrender.

The results are based on a series of conversations that Chien has conducted over the course of his six-week stay in Taiwan, which range from university students to retirees.

Contrary to the perception that increased military strength and constant pressure imposed by China could lead to possible military action, Chien found that most Taiwanese do not consider this a likely scenario. He argued such views as deriving from a national understanding that China must first address its domestic affairs before resorting to Taiwan by force.

Chien analyzed the national psyche in light of growing tensions from a whooping spike in Chinese military activity spiraling around the island. He noted where mainstream public perception lies in combatting such a formidable military force.

"Taiwanese people are aware that the U.S. military is unlikely to deploy troops in the battleground should the war strike across the Strait. As a result, they hope to receive non-combat aid, particularly the maintenance of supplies, from the US as a show of support and resolve in battling enemy forces", Chien said.

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