Reuters
Date: Nov 22, 2015
By: Faith Hung and Yimou Lee

A Taiwan NGO that promotes engagement with China has called off its push for a

Soldiers from the mine disposal unit stand in front of anti-landing barricades along a coast in Kinmen in this May 18, 2009 file photo. REUTERS/Pichi Chuang/Files

referendum on whether to set up a free trade zone allowing unfettered Chinese investment, its founder said, amid growing anti-China sentiment on an island Beijing considers its own.

Chinese President Xi Jinping this month met his Taiwan counterpart, Ma Ying-jeou, in the first meeting between leaders of the two sides since China’s civil war ended in 1949.

Some observers saw the meetings as a step forward in improving ties, others as a polarization of positions weeks before Taiwan holds elections in which the pro-China ruling Kuomintang (KMT) is expected to be trounced.     [FULL  STORY]