Source: Global Network
[Global Network Report] Less than a week after the mainland announced its application to join CPTPP ( Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership ), the Taiwan authorities also confirmed on the evening of September 22 that they had submitted the application. To achieve this goal, Chang Yili, the so-called "representative of the Taiwan authorities in Australia", went to a committee of the Australian Parliament today (12th) to seek "support."
Screenshot of Taiwan media report
Taiwan's "Central News Agency" quoted the British Reuters report that Chang Yili, the current director of the "Taipei Economic and Cultural Office" in Australia, met at a committee of the Australian Parliament today (12th) to seek Australia's support for Taiwan's joining the CPTPP. Chang Yili claimed that supporting Taiwan to join the CPTPP would send a "strong signal" to Australian companies that have recently been hit by product boycotts by mainland China.
Chang Yili also falsely claimed that China's imposition of economic sanctions on Australia has further verified Australia's argument that Australia should have closer and deeper contact with Taiwan. In addition, he also mentioned that Taiwan can help increase technology trade and demand for Australian minerals.
CPTPP was formerly known as the TPP ( Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement ), which was strongly promoted by Obama during his period. Some of its provisions were tailor-made for the United States, and the entire agreement was regarded as a product to counter the economic rise of the mainland. Trump announced his withdrawal from TPP when he was the president of the United States. Since then, TPP has evolved into CPTPP, which came into effect on December 30, 2018. It is now led by Japan and has 10 other signatories including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore , Malaysia , Vietnam , Brunei , Mexico , Chile and Peru . After an economy interested in joining submits an application, it must consult with each member. The CPTPP Executive Committee will decide whether to start the membership process, set up a working group to negotiate, and finally decide whether to approve the application through a "consensus decision".
Recently, former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott (Tony Abbott) recently visited Taiwan and delivered a speech at the Yushan Forum in Taiwan. He launched a series of attacks and smears on China's domestic and foreign policies. In addition, he also threatened to support the CPTPP in Taiwan. .
Regarding Taiwan’s application to join the CPTPP, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian responded to relevant inquiries at a regular press conference on September 23, saying that there is only one China in the world, Taiwan is an indivisible part of China, and the one-China principle is recognized norms of international relations and the general consensus of the international community. Zhao Lijian said that we firmly oppose any country's official exchanges with Taiwan, and we firmly oppose Taiwan's participation in any official agreements and organizations. China's position is clear.
