Experts urge China to join talks on TPP

Move would help to strengthen economic ties throughout the Asia-Pacific region

ChinaChina should should join jointhe Transthe Trans-PacificPacific Partnership Partnershipas soon as as soon possibleas possibleto build to closer build businesscloser businessties with ties countrieswith countriesin the in Asia-Pacificthe Asia-Pacificregion and region furtherand furthercut the possibilitycut the possibilityof trade friction,of trade according friction, to accordinga report by to a a leading report thinkby a tank. leading think tank. The report, released on ThursdayThe report,by the released Beijing-basedon ThursdayCenter for Chinaby the and Beijingbased Globalization, Centersaid that for China China shouldand Globalization,not be absent from said the that TPP China afterUS should Presidentnot be Donald absent Trumpfrom the decided TPP to after withdrawUS Presidentfrom the Donald previous 12-nationTrump decidedtrade pact. to withdrawThe report from said the that previousonce in 12-nationthe TPP, China trade can pact. improve its businessThe report integrationsaid that in once Asiain the and TPP, build Chinabetter economiccan improve relations its businesswith Japan, integrationSouth Koreain Asiaand countriesand build of betterthe Associationeconomic of relations Southeast with Japan, Asian South Nations. Korea and countries of the Wang AssociationXin, CCG’sof Southeast deputy Asian director, Nations.said that joining the TPP Wang will Xin, advance CCG’s the deputy realization director,of its said vision that of joining domesticthe TPP reform. will advance the realization “Wideningof its visionthe TPPof domestic exposes reform.the limitations of the multilateral Zhang Yunling,

“Widening the TPP exposes the limitations of the multilateral trade system,” said Wang.

Zhang Yunling, director of international studies at the Chinese trade Academysystem,” saidWang.of Social Sciences,Zhang Yunling,said: “It directoris possibleof that internationalthe US may studies launchat the a trade Chinese war Academywith China,of Social but Sciences, it may turn said: into“It is a possiblebigger that and morethe US far-reachingmay launch a trade trade war.”war withChina,The US withdrawalbutitmay turn frominto the a bigger TPP and has more caused far-reaching other memberstrade war.” to readjust their policies TheUS regarding withdrawal whetherfrom the the TPPhas TPP caused should othermemberswelcome China. to Some, readjust includingtheir Australiapolicies regardingand Chile, whetherhave been the keen TPP in should recruiting welcome China China.as a Some, TPP including member Australiato enhanceand Chile, the have degree beenof integrationkeen in recruitingin the China Asia-Pacificas a region.TPP member to enhance “Other the TPP degree membersof integration such as Vietnamin the Asia-Pacificand Malaysia region. have also “Other showed TPP their members desire such to as develop Vietnam the and Regional Malaysia Comprehensivehave also showed Economictheir desire Partnershipto developas the alternative Regional to Comprehensive ensure their exports Economic and Partnership factory as businesses,” alternative saidto ensureZhu Feng,their exports president and of factorythe Institute businesses,” of Internationalsaid Zhu Feng, Studies presidentat Nanjingof the Institute University. of International StudiesZhu said atNanjingUniversity.the TPP membership Zhu will said also the be TPP practical membership for China will to also start be talks practicalon thefor ChinaFree Tradeto start Area talks of on the the AsiaFree Trade Pacific Area with of otherthe Asia-Pacific countries. with This wouldother be countries.able to combineThis would the be TPP able andto combinethe Regionalthe TPP Comprehensiveand the Regional EconomicComprehensive Partnership, EconomicPartnership,to put an end to to put the an economicend to the fragmentationeconomic fragmentationin the Asia-Pacificin the Asia-Pacific region that region underminesthat undermines economic economic integration, integration,

Huo Huo Jianguo, Jianguo, former former president president of of the the ChineseChinese Academy Academy of of InternationalInternational Trade Trade andand Economic Economic Cooperation,Cooperation, said said to to meet meet the the TPP TPP demand, demand,China China must must adopt adopt measures measuresto promote to promote market-orientedmarket-oriented reforms reforms at at home home to to diversifydiversify its its companies’ companies’ earning earning ability, ability, open openthe marketthe market further furtherand improveand improve government governmentsupervision. supervision.

It is possible that the US may launch a trade war with China ...”

director of international studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences See more

ZhengZheng Yiran Yiran contributed contributedto thisto this story. story.