China firmly opposes Taiwan’s CPTPP application while Japan says welcome

Taiwan seeks to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), but China’s strong opposition may prevent Taiwan from participating.

On September 23, China dispatched 24 fighter jets to Taiwanese airspace soon after Taiwan filed its application. According to Taiwan Air Force, China’s rising military activity near Taiwan reached the third-highest number since records began.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian stated that Taiwan was an inseparable part of China according to the “One China” policy. 

“We resolutely oppose any country’s official exchanges with Taiwan, and resolutely oppose the Taiwan region’s accession to any official agreements and organizations,” Zhao said. “China’s position is clear.”

Contrary to China’s opposition, Japan as one of the CPTPP member countries welcomed Taiwan’s bid to join. 

“We consider Taiwan a very important partner with which we share fundamental values such as freedom, democracy, basic human rights and rule of law,” Japanese Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura told a news conference.

The CPTPP, formerly known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), was a high-standard, highly free trade body initiated by the former U.S. President Barack Obama, withdrawn by former U.S. President Donald Trump during his term of office, and renamed CPTPP by Japan. 

So far, 11 countries including Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam have signed the CPTPP. Chile, Brunei, and Malaysia have not yet ratified the agreement.