Taiwan’s representative to the United States, Shen Lyu-shun highlighted Taiwan’s wish to join the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP). The TPP is a trade pact that would include 12 Pacific Rim nations. Shen was speaking ahead of the meeting between US President Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping slated to take place on Wednesday. Obama is in China to attend the APEC summit.
The US-based Washington Times reported that Taiwan is watching whether Obama will discuss the Taiwan Relations Act with Xi as a sign of support for democratic Taipei. The act is the cornerstone of Taiwan-US relations in the absence of official ties.
Shen said Taiwan is one of the largest trading partners of the US. Taiwan also wants to be included in the TPP. Shen said Taiwan knows China better than any other country which is an asset to the US. He said Taiwan sides with the US in the Asia rebalancing strategy and Taiwan should not be neglected in the TPP.