Taiwan negotiator: Protests won't affect ties

The mainland’s top negotiator with Taiwan said the recent anti-Beijing protests on the island would not hinder efforts to strengthen cross-strait relations, the Wall Street Journal reported. Chen Yunlin, who is on a five-day visit to Taiwan this week that has so far resulted in deals on cross-strait transport, said that although some Taiwanese have differing views on relations with China, the primary focus should be on economic ties. Tens of thousands of pro-independence demonstrators took to the streets in Taipei Thursday protesting Chen’s visit. Mainland and Taiwan officials signed an agreement on rare wildlife transfer, under which Taiwan would receive two pandas in exchange for Formosa sika deer and Formosa serow, an antelope-like mammal.