DPP seeks action on trade pact before 2022By Chien Hui-ju and Jonathan Chin / Staff reporter, with staff writerTaiwan should join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) before China becomes a member of the trade group, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers said yesterday. Taiwan would lose its shot at joining if China joins the pact, DPP Legislator Chiu Chih-wei (邱志偉) told a news conference at the Legislative Yuan in Taipei. Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei TimesChinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) in November last year told an APEC summit that Beijing wants to join the pact. Singapore is to chair the trade pact next year, with Singaporean Minister of Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan tapped to take the post, he said, adding that Balakrishnan has voiced support for a Chinese bid. Taiwan must prepare a bid by amending laws, mustering public support and lobbying foreign governments, Chiu said.

Source: Taipei Times September 16, 2021 15:56 UTC