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China envoy to meet Taiwan leader Taiwan leader meets China envoy
(about 2 hours later)
The most senior Chinese official to visit Taiwan for decades is to meet President Ma Ying-jeou in Taipei. Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou has met China's senior envoy to the island in the highest level contact since 1949.
Chen Yunlin has already signed pacts aimed at improving direct trade and transport links between the two sides. The meeting was brought forward five hours to avoid continuing protests by Taiwanese pro-independence groups.
Crowds held a six-hour protest against the visit outside a hotel where Mr Chen was dining on Wednesday, forcing him to remain inside. Mr Ma defended his agreements with Beijing, saying they did not damage Taiwan's sovereignty.
Hundreds of demonstrators chanted slogans against Mr Ma's policy of forging closer ties with China. The Chinese envoy, Chen Yunlin, has signed economic agreements with Taiwan but has also been trapped in a hotel by Taiwan pro-independence protesters.
Clashes broke out as lines of riot police prevented demonstrators from getting into the hotel, but no arrests were reported and the protesters later dispersed. Mr Chen's meeting with Mr Ma at a government guest house lasted just five minutes and involved the exchange of gifts - a vase from Mr Ma and a large scroll painting of a horse from Mr Chen.
Some shouted "Ma Ying-jeou step down", blaming the Taiwanese president for allowing the landmark talks during Mr Chen's visit. Mr Ma said the meeting "symbolises a major step forward for cross-strait ties," and will "contribute to cross-strait stability and prosperity".
The latest trade agreements come after the two sides held a June meeting in Beijing - their first, high-level talks for a decade. "But we cannot deny that differences and challenges still exist, such as Taiwan's security and Taiwan's position in the international community.
Selling out? "In the future both sides should see the reality and should not deny each other's existence in order to promote the welfare of the people and cross-strait peace and to resolve our differences," he said in comments broadcast live.
Mr Ma's overtures, aimed at ending decades of political rivalry with Beijing, have sparked fierce protests in Taiwan since August.Mr Chen's visit has already resulted in the signing of trade deals He is the first leader of Taiwan to meet with a senior Chinese official since the end of a civil war in 1949 which saw the communists take power in Beijing, and the Kuomintang retreat to Taiwan to create a self-governing entity which China still claims as its own.
Critics accuse him of "selling out" to the mainland since he became president in May. Advertisement
The protests have been led by Taiwan's main opposition, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which while in government antagonised Beijing with a pro-independence agenda. Riot police struggle to control the protesters
Late-night protest
Days of vociferous protest by Taiwanese who claim Mr Ma is selling out their independent identity led to a change of schedule for the high-level meeting.
Mr Chen's visit has already resulted in the signing of trade deals
Rowdy protesters still gathered outside the venue, one day after hundreds of protesters confined Mr Chen to a hotel where he was having dinner until well after midnight.
Taiwanese pro-independence groups accuse Mr Ma of selling out sovereignty in return for lucrative business deals.
Mr Ma's overtures, aimed at ending decades of political rivalry with Beijing, have sparked fierce protests in Taiwan since August.
Thousands of police have been deployed to ensure Mr Chen's safety during his visit, after his deputy Zhang Mingqing was knocked to the ground by protesters during a visit last month.Thousands of police have been deployed to ensure Mr Chen's safety during his visit, after his deputy Zhang Mingqing was knocked to the ground by protesters during a visit last month.
The visit of China's top official for handling relations with Taiwan has already resulted in the signing of landmark agreements to improve direct trade and transport links. No compromise?
Tainted milk Before meeting Mr Chen, Mr Ma addressed Taiwan through a press conference, saying the negotiations were "mutually beneficial to create a win-win situation for both sides, which will benefit Taiwan.
On Thursday, the rivals agreed a wildlife swap, with China receiving a deer and a Formosa serow, a goat-like animal native to Taiwan, in exchange for two pandas. "I did not concede an inch of Taiwan's sovereignty so as president I have not made any mistakes.
Among the other deals reached was an agreement to triple the number of weekly direct passenger flights and allow cargo shipments between ports in China and Taiwan. "The Republic of China is a sovereign, independent country," he said, using the formal name for Taiwan and the island's way of differentiating itself from the People's Republic of China.
Deals were signed to introduce direct cargo shipping and postal services, increase passenger flights, shorten existing routes across the Taiwan Strait, and allow more mainland tourists to visit Taiwan.
Closer cooperation was promised on food safety.
The two sides also agreed a wildlife swap, with China receiving a deer and a Formosa serow, a goat-like animal native to Taiwan, in exchange for two pandas.
Previously, sovereignty issues involving vessels and crews forced costly detours through third countries, while China-Taiwan flights were forced to stop in Hong Kong or Macau.Previously, sovereignty issues involving vessels and crews forced costly detours through third countries, while China-Taiwan flights were forced to stop in Hong Kong or Macau.
Recent relations between Taipei and Beijing soured two months ago when Taiwan was affected by tainted milk products from China, and a number of people were taken ill.
China claims sovereignty over Taiwan - which has the diplomatic recognition of a handful of states - although they have been separately governed since 1949.