Taiwan and China aim to sign a free trade-style agreement by June that has split the island between those who think it will lift prosperity from improved access to China's markets, and those who fear it could wreck Taiwan's economy and is the first step to a Chinese political takeover.

Taiwan's government wants to use the deal as a lever to get China's support for separate free-trade deals with other countries to boost its $390 billion economy. To get it signed by a June deadline some controversial areas have been set aside, leaving the deal with more of a symbolic value. (Reuters)