Taiwan Moves to Join Pacific Trade Pact Before China

Taiwan's national flags flutter beside Taipei 101 at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Taipei on Oct. 7, 2012. Mandy Cheng/AFP via Getty Images

Taiwan has formally applied to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) on Sept. 20, following China’s bid last week.

Taiwan submitted its application to New Zealand, who handles the paperwork for the trade bloc, but warned that if China’s application were approved, it would struggle to join the CPTPP.