Beijing ‘firmly opposes’ Taiwan’s bid to join TPP

BEIJING/BANGKOK — China “firmly opposes” Taiwan’s application to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Taiwan’s application was submitted days after China had made an official bid to join the trade pact.

Negotiations over their memberships are expected to intensify as stances vary widely among the 11 TPP members, putting Japan, which chairs the trade pact, in a difficult position. “There is only one China in the world, and the Taiwan region is an inalienable part of China’s territory,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at a press conference on Sept. 23 in response to a question about Taiwan’s bid to join the TPP.

“China firmly opposes all official interactions between Taiwan and any country, [and] firmly rejects

Taiwan’s accession to any agreement or organization of official nature,” he said.

China, which claims Taiwan as its territory, upholds the “One China” principle and is wary of a situation in which Taiwan is treated like an independent country in the international community.

Beijing is likely to step up efforts behind the scenes to prevent Taiwan’s bid from being approved by TPP members, some of which have expressed support for China’s application to join the pact.

Malaysia’s International Trade and Industry Ministry said it was “particularly encouraged with the recent move by China” to formally apply to join the TPP, according to a report by Malaysia’s state-run news agency Bernama on Sept. 19.

Singapore has also indicated it welcomes China’s move.

However, joining the TPP requires the consent of all members, so it is unclear whether China’s entry will proceed as Beijing hopes.

Australia’s trade minister Dan Tehan, who has expressed caution about China’s bid, indicated Canberra was coordinating with other members over Taiwan’s application.

In a statement to The Australian newspaper, he said Canberra would work with the members to “consider Taiwan’s application on a consensus basis.”

Following the applications by China and Taiwan, the spotlight will fall on the United States, which withdrew from the predecessor of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership in 2017.

Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in New York on Sept. 22 and urged Washington to return to the TPP.

In the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden, there is deep-rooted caution about returning to the trade pact due to concerns about a possible negative impact on employment, but Japan intends to continue the persistent efforts to persuade Washington to join. (Sept. 25)