"Actions Only China Would Take" Strongly Criticized
China Hopes It Does Not Become a Stepping Stone for Taiwan Independence
[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Taiwanese government issued a scathing statement condemning China for its military threats in response to Taiwan's application to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), stating that China "has no authority" to interfere.
China dispatched a large number of military aircraft into Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), strongly pressuring Taiwan to withdraw its CPTPP application and clearly opposing Taiwan's membership by warning CPTPP member countries not to become a stepping stone for Taiwan's independence. The dispute over CPTPP membership has intensified cross-strait tensions, raising military tensions in the Taiwan Strait region.
On the 24th, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement saying, "China has no right to speak on Taiwan's CPTPP membership issue," and strongly criticized, "The Chinese government is obstructing Taiwan's CPTPP membership to harass Taiwan in the international community and is the main culprit in escalating hostility across the Taiwan Strait." It further emphasized, "China is not a CPTPP member, and its trade practices would not meet CPTPP's high standards."
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense also condemned China in a statement, saying, "China threatened Taiwan by dispatching military aircraft to the ADIZ immediately after news of Taiwan's CPTPP application," and added, "Such actions can only be taken by China." Previously, the Chinese government conducted a show of force by dispatching a large-scale fleet of 24 military aircraft, including 14 J-16 main fighter jets and 2 Y-8 anti-submarine patrol aircraft, into the ADIZ.
In response to Taiwan's condemnation, the Chinese government immediately countered. The Taiwan Affairs Office, which oversees Taiwan-related matters in China, issued a statement saying, "We oppose Taiwan expanding its international space or engaging in independence activities through CPTPP membership," and warned, "CPTPP member countries should not facilitate or provide a foothold for Taiwan's illegal independence activities and should properly handle Taiwan-related issues."
The deterioration of cross-strait relations over CPTPP membership began when China submitted its application to join the CPTPP on the 16th, shortly after the launch of the AUKUS security pact among the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
The CPTPP, led by Japan and involving 11 countries in the Indo-Pacific region, is the world's third-largest free trade agreement (FTA). It was restructured in 2018 after the United States withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which it had originally spearheaded.
According to CNN, since all existing CPTPP members must agree for a new member to join, it is expected to be difficult for China to join the CPTPP, which is led by Japan and Australia?both members of the Quad, a military alliance aimed at countering China. Taiwan, meanwhile, has been actively moving toward membership, with Japan, the current chair of the CPTPP, expressing a welcoming stance.
Previously, Taiwan chose not to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which is led by China, and instead is actively seeking CPTPP membership and a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States.
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