Analysis: China's CPTPP bid is curveball aimed at splitting U.S. and Japan

Beijing bets some members will embrace entry by Asian heavyweight

With China's application to join the CPTPP, President Xi Jinping is driving a wedge between U.S. allies to break the anti-Beijing containment wall he sees the West putting up. © Reuters

TETSUSHI TAKAHASHI, Editor, Economic News Group

September 18, 2021 02:25 JST

TOKYO -- China announced Thursday that it had officially applied to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, 300 days after President Xi Jinping first expressed an intent to do so.

But with no concrete outlook for being accepted, why did Beijing make its move now?