China fully prepared to join CPTPP: commerce ministry

China is fully prepared to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

Since formally applying to join the CPTPP in September 2021, China has conducted in-depth analysis and evaluation of the agreement's content, prepared bids for market access in areas such as the trade of goods, the services trade, investment and government procurement, and has undertaken extensive exchange with all other members, fully showcasing its determination, capability and actions in meeting the agreement's high standards, ministry spokesperson He Yadong said at a press conference.

Moving forward, China will align actively with high-standard international economic and trade rules such as those of the CPTPP, expand its institutional openness steadily, and continue undertaking in-depth communication and exchanges with all members in accordance with relevant procedures, actively promoting the country's accession process, he said.

He noted that the ministry hopes CPTPP members will accelerate China's accession process, support multilateralism and free trade through practical actions, and inject more certainty and momentum into global economic and trade development. ■