In Taiwan, protesters against the Chinese communist regime clashed with police on Wednesday in Taoyuan… during free trade talks between Taiwan and China.

Scores of police officers prevented representatives from the opposition Democratic Progressive Party from approaching the venue. Many of the protesters are candidates in the upcoming municipal councilor elections.

Wednesday's meeting is the second round of preparation talks on the free trade pact. Local media report it’s likely to be signed before June.

Taiwan and China have agreed in principle to put the free trade pact on the agenda of the next round of formal trade talks in China.

Taiwan's president, Ma Ying-Jeou, and his China-friendly Nationalist Party, want the trade deal. If it goes through it will slash tariffs in hundreds of sectors, to help the island's economy and open it to free trade deals around the world.

But Taiwan's opposition Democratic Progressive Party vehemently opposes the pact, saying it would flood the island with cheaper Chinese goods.