TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Taiwan People's Party (TPP, 民眾黨) released a poll on Friday (Dec. 12), revealing that 65.3% of respondents believe a Chinese military takeover of Taiwan by 2027 is impossible. The poll's findings come as President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) administration seeks approval for an NT$1.25 trillion defense budget in response to Beijing's military ambitions.
Despite the proposed budget, 20.5% of those surveyed anticipate a potential conflict between Taiwan and China by 2027, with 24.8% considering it entirely impossible. TPP legislator Chang Chi-kai (張啓楷) highlighted that even among Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) supporters, 61.4% doubt the likelihood of war, questioning the budget's foundation.
The poll also indicates a divided public opinion on the defense budget, with 44.3% in favor and 45.2% against. Young people and those with higher education levels predominantly oppose the budget. More than half of the respondents support maintaining Taiwan's security through dialogue, aligning with the Taiwan People's Party's stance on fostering goodwill with China while increasing defense spending.
Chang urged President Lai to communicate with the public, not just foreign media, emphasizing that most Taiwanese do not foresee a conflict in 2027. Meanwhile, TPP Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) noted that 66.6% of the public supports President Lai presenting a national intelligence report to the Legislative Yuan (立法院), underscoring the need for transparency regarding the NT$1.25 trillion budget.
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