By Ho Ai Li , Taiwan Correspondent

TAIPEI: A short meeting that marked a big step forward in cross-strait ties was marred by one of the ugliest protests Taiwan has seen in recent years.

For all of five minutes, Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou and visiting Chinese envoy Chen Yunlin shook hands, exchanging brief remarks and gifts at a guest house near the Presidential Office.

Mr Chen is the most senior official from China to visit the island and on Tuesday, he and his Taiwanese counterpart inked four pacts aimed at normalising air, shipping and postal links between the two sides.

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