Six out of ten people in Taiwan are against a major trade agreement with China, according to a survey released by National Taiwan University on Friday.

Out of more than 1,200 polled earlier this month, 59.7% opposed the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement. Only 34.7% supported the agreement, which Taiwan's government said will bring both higher growth and more jobs.

Just over 54% said they had no faith that President Ma Ying-jeou could protect the interests of the Taiwanese people when negotiating with Beijing.

The government has been criticized for not explaining the agreement well enough. The poll also confirmed a high level of confusion about its implications.

The opposition Democratic Progressive Party has said the pact would reduce Taiwan to the status of a local government in future talks with China.

Relations with China have improved considerably since Ma became Taiwan's president last year, but Beijing still regards Taiwan as part of its territory.