Taiwan and China have signed a series of agreements covering, among other subjects, industry and fishing. They have also agreed to sign a trade treaty in 2010.

Although such a treaty would ensure reductions in trade tariffs between the countries, neither has agreed on when to sign it. Officials in Taiwan say it needs more public support at home.

During the negotiations in the Taiwanese city of Taichung, thousands of Taiwanese citizens demonstrated against close ties between the two countries. They fear it would mean their domestic market being flooded with Chinese products.

Taiwan has developed into a vibrant democracy ever since it split from China at the end of a civil war in 1949. Relations between the two remained hostile until President Ma Ying-jeou, a Taiwanese politician who regards his mainland neighbour favourably, came to power in 2008. Officially, however, China still regards Taiwan as a breakaway province.

Photo of Ma Ying-jeou from Wikimedia Commons