Abstract
This paper examines the social bases of cross-strait policies in Taiwan. Drawing data from telephone surveys conducted in 2010, this project investigates Taiwanese people's attitudes toward different cross-strait policies, including (1) ECFA (Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement), (2) allowing Chinese students to study in Taiwan, (3) recognizing Chinese diplomas and degrees, (4) allowing self-guided individual Chinese tourists, and (5) increasing the daily quota of Chinese tourists on group tours. This study finds that Taiwanese people’s attitudes toward various cross-strait policies vary and are affected by their social and political background. In general, men, aged, pan-blue supporters, and high-status people are more likely to support the government’s cross-strait policies. One the other hand, women, younger, non-pan-blue supporters, and lower-status people tend not to support these policies. These divisions of opinion reflect the social impacts of rapidly changing cross-strait relationship in Taiwan.