The talks between Chen Yunlin, the mainland's top Taiwan negotiator, and Taiwanese counterpart Chiang Pin-kung, have triggered demonstrations on the island by people angry at closer ties with their giant neighbour.

Tuesday's documents -- on food quarantine, industrial standards and fishing crews -- bring to 12 the number of deals inked by the former arch-foes since China-friendly President Ma Ying-jeou assumed power in Taiwan in May 2008.

"The trend is irreversible," Chen said during the talks in the central Taiwan city of Taichung. "Over the past year, we've accomplished a lot of work that we hadn't been able to achieve in the previous 10, 20, or even 60 years."

Anti-China protesters had gathered outside the hotel hosting the talks, voicing concern about a planned trade pact they argued would draw Taiwan closer to China, with no obvious benefits in return.

One of them burned a Chinese flag, in full view of police deployed in large numbers to prevent a repeat of events during Chen's last visit in late 2008, when violent clashes erupted with demonstrators.

"Taiwan has never been a part of China," said protester Tsai Ting-kui. "We want the global community to understand the Taiwan people don't support the course chosen by Ma Ying-jeou."

Shortly before 8 pm (1200 GMT), about 150 protesters were gathered across from Chen's hotel, chanting as they confronted rows of uniformed police, some of them equipped with helmets and batons.

Taiwan, a society of 23 million, has developed into a vibrant democracy since it split from China at the end of a civil war in 1949.

But it is now deeply divided over how to handle ties with the mainland, which looms as an ever larger presence across a narrow strait and has never given up its hope of reunification, even if it must go to war to achieve it.

President Ma is pushing a sweeping trade pact with China which he says will help create jobs on the recession-hit island.

On the other hand, the opposition warns that the pact, discussed in Taichung, will contribute to eroding the de facto independence the island has established over the last 60 years, and say it will not help employment.

But the visiting Chinese delegation indicated the pact, known as the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement, or ECFA, was inescapable.

"The push for signing ECFA is not any individual's desire," Zheng Lizhong, Chen's deputy, told reporters.

"With time moving forward and bilateral economic cooperation deepening, a myriad issues arising from the exchanges need to be addressed."

The two sides had planned to sign altogether four agreements Tuesday, but one of them, regarding double taxation, was dropped off the agenda at the last moment.

"We feel we would need more time to iron out technical issues," said Chiang, the Taiwanese negotiator.

Since Chen's arrival in Taichung Monday, he has been a lightning rod for various groups with a grievance against China, including members of the Falungong spiritual movement, banned on the mainland as an "evil cult".

"We want our voice to be heard by Chen and taken back to the mainland. Chen is the representative of the evil Chinese communist party," said Theresa Chu, a spokeswoman for the Taiwanese Falungong.

In an unusual gesture Monday, Chen said he respected Taiwan people's right to protest against his presence, following a day which saw several tens of thousands take to the streets, but his critics were not impressed.

"They have cracked down on human rights lawyers. They don't even bother about their own people, so how can they pretend they'll give special favourable treatment to the people of Taiwan? I think that's just a lie," said Tsai.

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