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To be honest, I have never seen China make such an extraordinary move. It is simply not playing cards according to common sense. On November 20, China made it clear at the APEC informal summit that it is actively considering joining the CPTPP. This "ace" played by China has indeed had a great impact on the Asia-Pacific region.

Let's briefly introduce the context.

The full name of CPTPP is Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. It was formerly the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), an anti-China free trade organization established by the United States. 

The United States, Japan, Canada and other twelve countries reached the TPP agreement in October 2015. Although it did not expressly prohibit China from joining the TPP, many of the terms were designed specifically to bar China from joining.

So the effect of China’s joining CPTPP can be said as hitting three birds with one stone: 

First bird: Join a potential anti-China economic organization before the return of the United States. Even if Biden wants to engage in a democratic values ​​alliance against China it would not succeed due to economic constraints. Otherwise, why does Japan want China to take the lead in joining RCEP.

The second bird: Regardless of whether China's accession can take place, as long as this attitude is expressed, it will undoubtedly raise the cost of negotiations for the re-entry of the United States. Against the backdrop of rising domestic populism, can the Biden administration afford the price?

If it wants to pay that price, it is ok, anyway, the dominant power is on China’s side. According to the consensus decision making mechanism, as long as one side does not agree, the USA cannot join. China, Japan, and other countries can force the United States to spit out all the advantages it previously took, leaving the United States sliding deeper into an abyss of internal conflict amid stronger populist opposition.

The third bird: if it cannot afford to play that price? That's even better! On the Asian side, in RCEP, APEC, and CPTPP, China will participate and dominate the whole process. On the European side, the CAI China-Europe Comprehensive Investment Agreement is expected to be reached within this year. Eurasia will form a larger-scale closed loop of internal circulation. Guess who will be decoupled in the end? The Americans!

China Explained will show you that because of China’s continued success in industrial upgrading, technological innovation and realizing its huge potential, it is an unstoppable process. The inevitable rise of China may feel intimidating and some simply reject it. Don’t be. China’s rise is part of the new global trend unlike what we have seen in the past one hundred years. Embrace the change and seize the opportunity.

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