![A chart showing that over the last two years, Americans are increasingly likely to see China-Taiwan tensions as a very serious problem for the U.S.]()
A growing share of Americans are concerned about tensions between
China and Taiwan, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted
March 20-26, 2023. Nearly half of U.S. adults (47%) say tensions between
mainland China and Taiwan are a very serious problem for the United
States, up 4 percentage points since October 2022 and 19 points since February 2021.
The survey comes as Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen visits the U.S.,
with unofficial stops planned in New York and in California, where she
is scheduled to meet with U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. A
spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry has said it “strongly opposes” all forms of U.S. contact with Taiwan officials.
Among the U.S. public, Republicans and Republican-leaning
independents are somewhat more likely than Democrats and Democratic
leaners to be very concerned about tensions between China and Taiwan
(52% vs. 45%). Conservative Republicans are more likely than moderate or
liberal Republicans (61% vs. 38%) to see these tensions as a very
serious problem.
Men are more likely than women to say tensions between China and
Taiwan pose a very serious problem to the U.S., as are older Americans
and those with more education when compared with younger Americans and
those with less education. It’s important to note that men and those
with at least some college education are also more likely than their
counterparts to provide a response to this question.
Most Americans have a favorable opinion of Taiwan
![A bar chart showing that 66% of Americans view Taiwan favorably]()
In contrast with the extremely negative views
Americans have of China, the U.S. public tends to see Taiwan in a
favorable light. About two-thirds of Americans (66%) say they have a
positive opinion of Taiwan, including 11% who have a very favorable view, according to the same survey.
Americans who have a favorable view of Taiwan are more likely to be
concerned about tensions between mainland China and Taiwan. Among U.S.
adults who see Taiwan favorably, 55% say cross-strait tensions are a
very serious problem for the U.S. Among those who see Taiwan in a
negative light, 32% perceive these tensions as a very serious problem
for the U.S.
Democrats see Taiwan in a somewhat more positive light than
Republicans do (70% vs. 64%). Differences within the parties persist on
this question, too. Liberal Democrats are more likely than conservative
or moderate Democrats (77% vs. 65%) to view Taiwan favorably, and
conservative Republicans are more likely than moderate and liberal
Republicans (67% vs. 58%) to do so.
Men are more likely than women to see Taiwan favorably, as are those
with more education. About three-quarters or more of Americans with a
bachelor’s degree (76%) or postgraduate degree (79%) have a favorable
opinion of Taiwan, compared with about six-in-ten of those who have some
college education or less. (Men and those with a college degree are
also more likely to offer a response to this question.)
Older Americans also see Taiwan more favorably than younger Americans
do. About seven-in-ten Americans ages 65 and older (72%) report a
favorable opinion of Taiwan, compared with smaller majorities of those
in younger age groups.
McCarthy, the U.S. House speaker, plans to meet Taiwan’s president in California this month, but he has not ruled out the possibility of visiting Taiwan.
![A bar chart showing that In fall 2022, Americans prioritized U.S. politicians visiting Taiwan over relations with China]()
In previous Pew Research Center polling, Americans generally looked
favorably on the prospect of such a visit. In October 2022, shortly
after then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan,
54% of Americans said the U.S. should continue to have high-level
politicians visit Taiwan, even if it harms bilateral relations with
China. In contrast, 38% said the U.S. should prioritize relations with
China rather than send politicians to Taiwan.
Though U.S. political dynamics may have shifted since then, there
were no partisan differences in Americans’ opinions of how the U.S.
should approach future diplomatic travel to Taiwan. Republicans were as
likely as Democrats (56% each) to prioritize U.S. officials visiting
Taiwan. Conservative Republicans and liberal Democrats again stood out
relative to moderates in each party as more likely to say the U.S.
should continue to have high-level visits to Taiwan, even at the expense
of relations with China.
Note: Here are the questions used for this analysis, along with responses, and its methodology.