While unification with Taiwan remains a core interest for China’s leadership, it doesn’t carry the same level of urgency for most PRC citizens. Many are focused on domestic challenges, including an ageing population, a slowing economy, high youth unemployment, housing market instability, environmental degradation, corruption and concerns about public services.
Most PRC citizens see Taiwan as an inseparable part of China—a view shaped by decades of state education and media messaging. However, over recent years, opinions have gently shifted on whether military force should be used to achieve unification. Notwithstanding the challenges of surveying public opinion in China, we nonetheless have some insight into public attitudes via several different surveys that have been conducted:
