Taiwan’s government on Thursday announced a clutch of reforms to liberalise financial links with China in hopes of generating a economic boost that would counter a rapid drop in public support.

Since taking office as president last month after a landslide election victory, Ma Ying-jeou has moved quickly to fulfil a campaign pledge to close a deal with China to open regular non-stop passenger flight links and increase tourist flows from the mainland. But his opinion poll ratings have dropped, with observers blaming the slide on unrealistic expectations that the change in government would resolve economic problems overnight.