Published: 6:49pm, 11 Oct, 2018 Updated: 5:01am, 12 Oct, 2018
Beijing may join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for CPTPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) as a hedge against growing US protectionism, according to anonymous sources. Analysts said Trans-Pacific Partnership, which was finalised in March after US President Donald Trump withdrew from the original CPTPP, 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 27 countries over free-trade agreements.