China is considering participation in the upcoming Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) talks following the United States’ retraction from the agreement, according to Geng Shuang, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman. The TPP talks will be held in Chile.
The representatives from 12 countries that form TPP and representatives from China and South Korea would meet today and tomorrow for the first time after the U.S.’s withdrawal, according to a Chilean official quoted in a report by Reuters.
President Donald Trump successfully destroyed the current form of the TPP as he signed an executive order drawing the United States out of the group. The order was signed in the Oval office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 23, 2017.
“The Chinese side supports economic integration in the Asia-Pacific, and stands ready to enhance communication and coordination with Chile and other relevant countries to build FTAAP (Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific), create an open Asia-Pacific economy and inject new impetus to economic growth in the region and beyond,” Geng said at a regular press conference last Friday.
“We hope that the meeting will help realize the goals. To my knowledge, the Chinese side is actively considering attendance at the meeting,” he added.
Though Geng did not disclose any details, his statements were consistent with those given by Hua Chun-ying, another Chinese foreign ministry spokesman. Hua was asked whether China would participate in the TPP shortly after U.S.’s withdrawal announcement in January.
The Asia-Pacific should persist in serving as an engine for global growth and in building an open economy, Hua responded.
The leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) have given the vision and plan for the FTAAP. The plan can be carried out through vigorous efforts, she added.
With U.S.’s withdrawal and with China’s possible attendance, the global economic community looks forward to the outcome of the upcoming TPP talks.