China will proactively align with high-level international economic and trade rules to further deepen reform and expand institutional opening-up, according to senior commerce officials. Commerce minister Wang Wentao told a recent media briefing that China is willing to negotiate and sign free trade agreements with more economies and countries.

Singapore has urged the Biden administration to focus on trade as the U.S. formulates its long-awaited Asia strategy to counter what it sees as the growing economic and military threat from China.

Country ready to sign more FTAs, boost global ties in digital economy

The State of Southeast Asia survey finds that, on balance, a majority of Southeast Asians view Chinese CPTPP membership positively, for the world economy and for China. 53.2 per cent of ASEAN respondents perceive that having China in the CPTPP will provide economic benefits to China, the United States, and other CPTPP partners.

Vietnam’s enthusiasm for the CPTPP stems largely from hopes it will induce further domestic reforms by aligning external pressure over domestic vested interests.

Taiwan's top trade negotiator and Minister-without-Portfolio John Deng (鄧振中) said that the country is well-prepared to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) amid rumors the country's admittance is likely to be discussed by the trade bloc's leadership on Thursday (Feb. 17).

Since Taiwan’s accession to the WTO in 2002, China has used its political clout and massive market to influence the international community’s attitude toward the nation’s participation in international organizations.

The UK and South Korea today (Monday 7 February) signed an agreement to reinforce pandemic-damaged supply lines for key products like semiconductors.

China will put to trial part of the rules of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in some of its pilot free trade zones, according to the customs authority. It will also actively facilitate the construction of platforms for opening up and promote innovation of customs supervision mechanisms for those zones, to be replicated elsewhere later.

Ecuador has filed its application to join the CPTPP trade pact as the country moves to reduce its reliance on oil and diversify its economy through exports.