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It has almost become a common occurrence—Taiwan scrambling its Air Force jets as China has increased its aggressive posture of sending its fighter aircraft into Taiwan's air defence zone. The latest provocation was on Thursday when more than 20 Chinese jets came close to the island. (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/23/taiwan-scrambles-jets-as-chinese-aircraft-enter-air-defence-zone)
There is another scramble taking place, and this time there are no military jets or land armies involved. China and Taiwan want to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). While China applied for the membership two weeks back, Taiwan followed it this week.
Taiwan fears that if China enters the treaty first, Taiwan's case to become a member "will be at risk" according to Taiwan's chief trade negotiator John Deng. (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-58660843)
The CPTPP, called TPP, was initially created by the U.S. to counter China's influence. In fact, it was considered the centrepiece of U.S. President Barack Obama's strategic pivot to Asia. But Donald Trump poured cold water on TPP by withdrawing his country from the treaty. Japan has been the leading negotiating member of the 11-member free trade group.
The CPTPP was designed in such a way to make China's entry into the treaty almost impossible— by imposing US-backed labor, environmental and patent protections. (https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2021/09/19/2003764616) Observers say China's move is significant as it is confident of meeting stringent rules for joining the group. It could also reflect China's willingness to change its labor and environmental rules. (https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3149470/beijings-bid-join-cptpp-may-fail-yet-also-succeed-experts-say)
Japan has already welcomed the application of Taiwan. Taiwan has applied to join the CPTPP under its name in the World Trade Organization (WTO) - the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen. China considers Taiwan a breakaway province that will unite with itself one day, while Taiwan considers itself an independent nation.
Going by the region's geopolitics, Taiwan is more likely to get the membership nod before China, but the latter is unlikely to take it lying down as it could be seen as an insult.
Read more:
What next for CPTPP?
https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/what-trans-pacific-partnership-tpp
What's behind the China-Taiwan divide?:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-34729538