Chinese envoy arrives in Taiwan for trade talks

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TAIPEI, Dec 21 (AP): A senior Chinese envoy has arrived in Taiwan for talks with local officials that some on the island fear could lead to unification.
Chen Yunlin's arrival Monday comes a day after the island's opposition led tens of thousands of protesters in a rally to protest the government's China-friendly policies.
Some 200 protesters demonstrated outside the Taichung airport as Chen's plane arrived.
Chen is expected to sign four minor economic accords, and discuss a wide-ranging free trade agreement during his five-day visit. The opposition says the agreement will hurt Taiwan's economy and sovereignty, a charge President Ma Ying-jeou denies. Taiwan and China split amid civil war in 1949. Beijing continues to claim the island as part of its territory.