There is a “risk” to Taiwan‘s application to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) if China joins first, Taiwan’s government said on Thursday, September 23, flagging a potential political roadblock.

Taiwan formally applied to join on Wednesday, September 22, less than a week after China, the world’s second largest economy.

Taiwan is excluded from many international bodies because of China’s insistence that it is part of “one-China” rather than a separate country.

Taiwan’s chief trade negotiator John Deng told reporters that China always tries to obstruct Taiwan’s participation internationally.

“So if China joins first, Taiwan’s membership case should be quite risky. This is quite obvious,” he said.

Underscoring the pressure Taiwan faces from China, the island’s defense ministry reported 19 Chinese air force planes flew into Taiwan’s air defense zone on Thursday, including two nuclear-capable H-4 bombers. Taiwan’s air force scrambled to intercept and warn them away.

China’s air force flies almost daily in Taiwan’s air defense zone, angering Taipei.

Taiwan democracy

Taiwan has been keen to win greater support from other democracies, including in its trading relations.

Deng pointed to Taiwan having a different “system” from China, including Taiwan’s democracy, rule of law, transparent laws, and respect for personal property.

However, he said, there was no direct connection between Taiwan’s decision to apply and China’s.

“How mainland China comments on this is a matter for them,” Deng said.

When asked about Taiwan’s application to the trade pact, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian reiterated a long-standing position that Taiwan is part of China.

“We are firmly opposed to any country having official ties with Taiwan, and to Taiwan entering into any official treaty or organization,” Zhao said.

Deng said that Taiwan, a major semiconductor producer, has applied to join under the name it uses in the World Trade Organization – the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu. Taiwan is a member of the WTO and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation grouping.

“I stress that Taiwan is a sovereign, independent nation. It has its own name. But for trade deals the name we have used for years is the least controversial,” Deng said.

The CPTPP application was made to New Zealand’s government, which handles the paperwork.

Deng said he was not able to predict when Taiwan may be allowed to join the CPTPP, noting that Britain’s application was proceeding the fastest at present.

Britain began negotiations in June.

The original 12-member agreement, known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), was seen as an important economic counterweight to China’s growing influence.

But the TPP was thrown into limbo in early 2017 when then-US president Donald Trump withdrew the United States.

The grouping, which was renamed the CPTPP, links Canada, Australia, Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam. – Rappler.com