China opposes Taiwan’s desire to join the free trade agreement.
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SYDNEY – Taiwan Economic and Cultural Bureau representative Elliott Charng has called for Australia’s support to join the regional trade agreement, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP ). China opposes Taiwan’s desire to join the free trade agreement.
Charng is a Taiwanese diplomat posted to Australia. He said that if Taiwan can join the CPTPP, then Taiwan could increase high-tech trade and increase demand for Australian minerals.
The CPTPP is a free trade agreement between Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, New Zealand, Singapore and Vietnam. Charng said the support for Taiwan “would also send a strong message” to Australian companies affected by the Chinese boycott of Kangaroo products.
“The economic sanctions that China has imposed on Australia strengthen the case for Taiwan’s closer and deeper involvement,” Charng told an Australian parliamentary committee in Canberra on Tuesday (12/10).
Each CPTPP member must approve the new member and the Australian parliamentary committee will recommend their response to the government. The trade group was formed in 2018. Britain, China and Taiwan have submitted membership proposals.
The Beijing and Taipei proposals have sparked tensions in recent months. China opposes Taiwan’s proposal and Taiwan accuses Beijing of intimidation.
China, Australia’s largest trading partner, was bolstered by a surge in demand for iron ore in July and the country’s exports reached A $ 19.4 billion. But in recent years, diplomatic relations between the two countries have deteriorated.
Australia is the third largest source of agricultural products for Taiwan, the total trade for the year reached 607 million US dollars. Charng said the CPTPP will provide structure for businesses and strengthen cyber cooperation.
“China’s opposition is not surprising, China will use all means to prevent Taiwan from participating in an international organization,” he said.
On Monday 10/11, China said it had lodged a firm objection against Australia over the “inappropriate” remarks by former Prime Minister Tony Abbott who visited Taiwan last week.
Abbott said his visit and meeting with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen was on a personal basis. To reporters, Abbott told Taiwan meets the criteria to join the CPTPP.
However, he said, because it may anger China, some member countries may reject Taiwan’s proposal. He called on other countries not only to provide “rhetorical support” and to give Taiwan genuine political support.
China has also pressured the Australian parliament to join the CPTPP.
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