Recently two surveys were published in Taiwan. One was conducted by the Taiwan Competitiveness Forum which has run the poll on a quarterly basis since 2013. It shows 87 percent of Taiwanese identify themselves as Chinese and 60 percent believe they are both Taiwanese and Chinese.

The other is a survey conducted by the United Daily News, which shows that about half of Taiwanese youngsters are willing to work in the mainland.

These results have greatly differed from previous stereotypes that Taiwanese are prone to seek "Taiwan independence" and that youngsters in Taiwan always detach themselves from the mainland.

Looking at the first survey, the ratio of people believing they are both Taiwanese and Chinese is 60 percent. This ratio sharply fell after the sunflower student movement in May, but has now returned to the current level.

It indicates that the anti-mainland mentality caused by this student movement affected the judgment of the Taiwanese people. But the rise of the ratio shows that after the retreat of the fever of the movement, Taiwan has been back on the normal track of taking into consideration both social peace and economic development.

About 34 percent of respondents believe they are Taiwanese but not Chinese. This percentage fits the impression of some scholars about some Taiwanese people's support for "Taiwan independence."

It shows that "Taiwan independence" is not a mainstream opinion of the Taiwanese people. But because the Taiwanese media are inclined to report negative news and the Internet is taken up by cynical youngsters, it has caused the illusion that "Taiwan independence" is a mainstream thought.

Some people claimed they are not Chinese when they are in Taiwan, while admitting they are Chinese when doing business in the mainland. More than 50 percent of respondents think this behavior is subject to reality and acceptable, while 30 percent think this is unprincipled and should be criticized.

Many Taiwanese businesspeople, politicians and directors make money in the mainland, but are seeking "independence" in Taiwan.

It is worth noting that more than half of respondents believe the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) should change its party guiding principle that favors "Taiwan independence," and propose reassuring cross-Straits policies.

Nonetheless, people who favor "Taiwan independence" are main supporters of the DPP. And they kidnapped the decisions of the central committee of the DPP, making it fail to face up to the problems of the existing guiding principle.

Now let's look at the second survey. Since the sunflower student movement, extreme voices supporting "Taiwan independence" from youngsters have been common on the Internet and the media. But the survey shows that half of youngsters would like to work in the mainland.

Although it may be driven by realistic employment consideration and economic benefits, it shows that these people have remained sober-minded.

In Taiwan, there are two kinds of young people. Some are the cynical ones swarming on the Internet, and the others favor pragmatism and pursue personal development.

The latter is the majority and always keeps silent, so there are misunderstandings toward Taiwanese youngsters across the straits. The survey of the United Daily News just resolved such confusion.

The author is a former Taiwanese Kuomintang "legislator." opinion@globaltimes.com.cn