TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A Mainland Affairs Council survey published Thursday found that 82.6% of Taiwanese oppose Beijing’s “one country, two systems” principle.

MAC reported that 73.1% of respondents reject Beijing’s insistence that Taiwan can only take part in APEC as “Chinese Taipei” under the “one-China principle,” per CNA. Another 76.8% disapproved of China issuing wanted notices for several Taiwanese on charges of “splitting the state.”

The poll also showed broad support for President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) NT$1.25 trillion (US$40 billion) special defense budget, with 54% backing the eight-year investment, per Liberty Times.

On sovereignty issues, 75.8% said Taiwan and China are not mutually subordinate, and 85.1% supported maintaining the status quo. Meanwhile, 84.4% affirmed that Taiwan’s future must be decided solely by its 23 million people.

MAC said the findings reflect longstanding trends, noting that Beijing has increased political, military, diplomatic, and legal pressure while refusing to acknowledge Taiwan’s existence. The council urged Beijing to face public opinion and respect Taiwan’s democratic choices.

The poll, conducted by National Chengchi University’s Election Study Center from Dec. 4 to 8, gathered 1,098 valid samples with a margin of error of ±2.96%.