Published: 6:49pm, 11 Oct, 2018 Updated: 5:01am, 12 Oct, 2018
Beijing may join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) as a hedge against growing US protectionism, according to anonymous sources. Analysts said CPTPP, which was finalised in March after US President Donald Trump withdrew from the original Trans-Pacific Partnership, was "stronger on free trade" and would be another signal of Chinese efforts to reform and open up its economy. Beijing is in talks with 5:01am countries over free-trade agreements.