(Central News Agency reporter Zeng Zhiyi, Taipei, 21st) The CPTPP adopted a consensus decision. There are arguments that some member states may use this as an excuse to not start informal consultations with Taiwan first. Financial scholars admit that this is due to pressure from China. Therefore, Canada, the country that holds the chairmanship this year, should be encouraged to assist Taiwan in accelerating the membership process from the perspective of Indo-Pacific strategy and global economic security.
Taiwan continues to push to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Media columns pointed out that when Taiwan held informal consultations with various member states, it was rejected by some member states. These countries requested that before consulting with Taiwan, Taiwan must first reach a consensus with all existing member states, thus dragging down Taiwan’s membership process.
Yan Huixin, senior deputy executive director of the WTO and RTA Center of the China Economic Research Institute, explained to the Central News Agency that in order to smooth the membership process, CPTPP encourages applicant countries to conduct informal consultations with existing member states from the time of application to the establishment of the membership working group. consultation, but there is no requirement to reach consensus before communication can occur.
She pointed out that the membership rules did not specify the application methods and details. The only consensus was that when New Zealand held the rotating presidency last year, it was established that the applicant country must abide by high standards, have a good record of implementing agreements in the past, and be adopted by consensus, etc. content.
Yan Huixin bluntly pointed out that some CPTPP members will use “consensus resolution” as an excuse because of pressure from China; she hopes that Canada, the country that chairs this year, can show its sense of “moral courage” and help Taiwan.
She pointed out that Canada is a member of the G7 and should take a higher position, think from the perspective of the Indo-Pacific strategy, and promote the progress of the current six applicant countries. Among them, Taiwan is an important partner of the G7 in ensuring the resilience of the supply chain, and Taiwan has continued to rely on itself in the past. To reduce dependence on China and ensure that it does not become a supply chain loophole, Canada should assist Taiwan in strengthening its economic resilience and expanding Taiwan’s FTA space to promote global economic security.
Yan Huixin said that looking at business connectivity, Canada wants to develop the ICT industry, while Taiwanese ICT industry players are moving out of China and looking for new partners. If Taiwanese industries are to feel at ease and settle in Canada for the long term, the legal framework needs to be clear; furthermore, Canada is rich in mines, while Taiwan lacks natural resources. The two sides have great potential to become key mineral allies.
She emphasized that Taiwan is important to Canada from the perspective of strategic or commercial interests, and we should actively express our demands to Canada based on this.
Yan Huixin said that every member state that serves as a rotating country is looking forward to achieving specific results, such as completing the UK’s membership during New Zealand’s presidency in 2023. “What does Canada want to leave behind this year?”
She believes that since the CPTPP encourages applicant countries to hold informal consultations with member states, it is suggested that Canada can work hard to convey messages to existing member states, encourage them to conduct informal consultations with applicant countries within a certain period of time, and establish informal working groups. , individually discuss the requirements or expectations for future negotiations. If there is a consensus conclusion, the progress of joining the meeting can be accelerated. (Editor: Yang Lanxuan) 1130421
