05.04.2023
According to Professor Julien Chaisse, an associate member of CCCL, a possible solution similar to the arrangement in the WTO and APEC, where Taiwan is referred to as "Chinese Taipei," may be considered for the complicated membership requests of both China and Taiwan in the CPTPP. However, the contemporary geopolitical climate and China's expanding influence may pose challenges in reaching such a compromise. To evaluate the feasibility of admitting both China and Taiwan to the CPTPP, member countries would need to weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks. While having both countries as members could bring economic advantages due to China's global economic influence and Taiwan's strong and innovative economy, the complexities of the Sino-Taiwan relationship could create political risks and tensions that might undermine the effectiveness and coherence of the agreement. Furthermore, the evolving geopolitical context, characterized by growing competition between China and other regional powers, adds another layer of complexity. CPTPP members must assess the potential impact of both countries' entry on the balance of power in the Asia-Pacific region and the broader international community, taking into account their respective commitments to the high standards and regulations of the CPTPP and the strategic implications of their accession.
Read the full article here: Ravi Velloor, Britain’s CPTPP entry adds a new twist to Asia’s geopolitics, Strait Times, April 5, 2023 < https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/britain-s-cptpp-entry-adds-a-new-twist-to-asia-s-geopolitics >
