Top officials in Taiwan have hit out at “unfair” Chinese competition and Beijing’s moves to isolate the island just days after the outpouring of brotherly love at Saturday’s historic summit between Xi Jinping and Ma Ying-jeou.

The comments, in interviews with the Financial Times, underline the huge gulf that remains between the sides despite the apparent thaw on display at the first meeting between Chinese and Taiwanese presidents.

As Taiwan’s export-focused economy suffers its worst downturn for six years, the government wants to boost its prospects by signing up to trade pacts such as the US-backed Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Southeast Asia-led Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. But Beijing, which views Taiwan as a breakaway province, has repeatedly used its clout to lean on other countries to stop Taipei joining international organisations and agreements.