Taiwan has applied to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade accord. China, which submitted an application of its own on Sept. 16, is staunchly opposed to Taiwan's bid, and there are concerns that confrontation between China and Taiwan could be brought into the deal.

       Taiwan has long been eager to join the TPP, and had been searching for the right time to apply. It appears that it filed its application quickly after China preceded it in procedures to join the trade pact.

       Some take the view that the hurdle to joining the TPP is lower for Taiwan, where liberalization has progressed. But at the same time, China possesses the strength of a huge market.

       In order for a new party to join the TPP, all member countries must approve the application, but their sense of distance from Taiwan and China differs from country to country. It is necessary to avoid a situation that disrupts collaboration among the member countries.

       The TPP is a trade agreement that reflects the latest trends in economic activity, such as digitalization and the emphasis on human rights. The participation of new parties should be decided fairly from the perspective of whether the countries and regions applying to join can be made to abide by the rules and maintain a high level of liberalization.

       Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen posted a message in Japanese on Twitter stating, "We are ready to accept all the rules," seeking support for its bid from Japan, which is chairing the TPP in 2021.

       Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi was quick to welcome Taiwan's application. However, there remains a problem between Japan and Taiwan over the latter's import ban on agricultural produce following the disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station.

       If China is to share the idea of a free and highly transparent market economy, then it should not be excluded from the pact. In reality, however, it is far from this. While China joined the World Trade Organization amid hopes that there would be progress in the country's moves toward a market economy, the leadership of Xi Jinping is strengthening control over economic activities.

       China also has many systems that are not in line with TPP rules, such as preferential treatment of state-owned enterprises and its hoarding of digital data. Suspicions of forced labor in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region have also emerged.

       In order for China to join the TPP, drastic reform of these problems is a prerequisite.

       Initially, the TPP had an aspect of serving as a U.S.-led siege against China. But as the United States has departed the group, China is going on the offensive in an attempt to seize control over economic rules in the Asia-Pacific region.

       Such circumstances could become the impetus for the U.S. to return to the TPP. Japan should combine its wisdom with that of other member countries and heighten the value of the free trade zone.

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