[EpochTimesSeptember192021](Epoch Times reporter Wang Xiang comprehensive report) This week the CCP formally applied to join the “Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement” (CPTPP). Australia, one of the member states of the agreement, said that unless Beijing Repeal retaliatory tariffs on Australian products, otherwise CPTPP negotiations with China will not start.
The media previously reported that China (the Chinese Communist Party) sent a letter to the Australian Parliament last week, lobbying it to support China’s accession to the CPTPP. But Beijing’s lobbying only relied on the huge economic cooperation potential it would bring to China and Australia, and avoided mentioning Beijing’s retaliatory sanctions against Australia’s multi-billion-dollar exports.
According to the official news from the Ministry of Commerce on Thursday (September 16), the Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao submitted an official application to join the CPTPP on the same day to the New Zealand Minister of Trade, Damien O’Connor, the depositary of the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement. Written letter.
Australia: First withdraw retaliatory tariffs before discussing joining CPTPP
First of all, in order to join the CPTPP, the CCP must obtain the consent of all 11 member states including Australia.
Australian Trade Minister Dan Tehan responded on Friday (17th): “We have communicated to China that these are important matters that require ministerial interaction.”
He said that Australia must have confidence in China’s free trade record before considering allowing China to join. The current member states of the CPTPP hope to make sure that China (the Communist Party of China) will fulfill its trade agreement with the World Trade Organization (WTO). Free trade commitments.
In April last year, after Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison called for an independent investigation into the origin of the Chinese Communist virus (COVID-19), Beijing adopted a series of trade penalties, including coal, Lobster and others have implemented informal import bans and imposed anti-dumping duties on red wine and barley, aiming to punish Australian politics economically.
Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne, who is currently visiting the United States, publicly stated that the Australian government has long been sending invitations to Beijing for dialogue, but has never received a response from the other side.
Japan: Consider carefully whether to start CPTPP negotiations with China
Secondly, the application for membership must meet the standards of the treaty.For this reason, Beijing must carry out domestic reforms to qualify. For example, subsidies to state-owned enterprises and other practices that distort competition areProhibited by Convention Orderof.
The Japanese government, which is the rotating chairman of the CPTPP this year, has made it clear that it will carefully consider whether to start the CPTPP negotiation process with China, saying that “it is necessary to determine whether China can comply with high-level rules.”
When talking about China’s formal application to join the CPTPP at a press conference on Friday (17th) morning, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, Katsunobu Kato, also stated that Japan will cooperate cautiously with participating countries.
Kato said that CPTPP requires a high level of market access and high standards for e-commerce, intellectual property, government procurement, and state-owned enterprises. He explained: “We need to confirm whether China intends to achieve such a high level. We will respond in close cooperation with relevant countries on the basis of joining the CPTPP rules.”
“Japan Economic Review” commented: “Because the CCP only puts its own interests first, the road to joining the CPTPP will be difficult.”
Editor in charge: Li Huanyu#
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