The majority of respondents from both the Chinese mainland and Taiwan agree that the two sides should cooperate to  pressure the Philippines, which refuses to apologize after a Philippine navy vessel shot a Taiwanese fisherman dead on Thursday, a survey has found.

More than 92 percent of respondents from seven mainland cities are in favor of such cooperation, as compared with 68.7 percent from Taiwan, where 21.2 percent expressed objections, according to a survey jointly conducted by the Global Poll Center under the Global Times and the Taiwan-based China Times Public Opinion Poll Center.

In terms of possible countermeasures, 61.4 percent of mainlanders are inclined to exert diplomatic pressure on the Philippines, followed by economic sanctions and a tourism boycott. Taiwan favored economic sanctions, such as rejecting Filipino laborers.

When asked if the Taiwan authorities are capable of maintaining fishermen's interests, 51.4 percent of mainland respondents held a negative attitude, shared by more than 49 percent of Taiwanese respondents. About 59 percent believe the mainland should continue to seek cooperation even if overtures are rejected.

In addition, 48.3 percent believe that a blow to the Philippines is conducive to solving the maritime disputes with Vietnam, Japan and other countries, while 16.5 percent think such action may prompt the US to further interfere with  South China Sea issues.

Global Times