What’s new: Beijing firmly opposes Taiwan’s application to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which was submitted days after its own application, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at a regular press briefing on Thursday.
“We firmly oppose any official contacts between Taiwan and other countries, and Taiwan’s accession to any official agreements or organizations,” he said.
The background: On Wednesday, authorities in Taiwan announced it had applied to join the multilateral trans-Pacific trade pact, which was formed among Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, New Zealand, Singapore and Vietnam in 2018.
On Sept. 16, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao officially handed a letter to New Zealand’s trade minister requesting to join the free trade bloc as the U.S. resumes engagement in the Asia-Pacific region.
Contact reporter Cai Xuejiao (xuejiaocai@caixin.com) and editor Michael Bellart (michaelbellart@caixin.com)
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