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President Ma Ying-jeou, protesters agree talks over Taiwan political crisis

Taiwan's leader hopes meeting can resolve row over trade pact with mainland

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Student protesters with a caricature of Ma Ying-jeou. Photo: AFP

Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou and student leaders occupying parliament have agreed to hold talks to try to end a week-long crisis sparked by growing concern over a trade service pact signed with the mainland.

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The latest development came soon after the United States urged peaceful discussions to ease the stand-off, during which about 200 students seized the legislature last Tuesday.

On Monday more than 100 people were injured when police used water cannon to clear 2,000 protesters who had also stormed a government building nearby.

Watch: Taiwan riot police dislodge protesters to retake government HQ

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They fear the pact will lead to fewer jobs and that closer ties with the mainland threaten democracy on the island.

"Based on the principle that no pre-conditions are set, President Ma is willing to invite representatives of the students to the presidential office for dialogue on the cross-strait trade service agreement issue," spokeswoman Garfie Li said yesterday. She said Ma hoped the talks would end the stand-off so the legislature could return to normal.

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