Top envoys from China and Taiwan signed a deal on medical co-operation and discussed investment protection during talks Tuesday in Taipei, accompanied by small protests staged by anti-Beijing activists. "Regular talks between the two sides guarantee peace and prosperity in the Taiwan Strait and the region," Taiwan's chief delegate Chiang Pin-kung said at the start of the meeting at one of the city's main hotels.
Sitting across from Chiang was China's Chen Yunlin, who arrived on Monday for what appears to have become a traditional year-end trip to the island. Both negotiators represent quasi-official bodies in charge of direct contacts since the two sides have no formal relations. "I believe more and more Taiwan people will support negotiations between our two associations," Chen said.
Several times during the day Chen was met with small-scale protests, highlighting the fact that the warming of ties is far from universally welcomed on the island of 23 million. Anti-China protesters had vowed to follow Chen "every step of the way" during his three-day visit to the island, and about 10 gathered outside the hotel Tuesday. Police, citing the need to allow the hotel to operate normally, in the end linked hands and circled the group of protesters, taking them to a waiting van amid minor scuffling.