In a recently issued document, Beijing expanded financial services access and committed to national treatment for foreign financial institutions as part of a pilot project.

As part of the eighth Commission Meeting of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership last week, the official statement from the parties includes two items that relate to China, although China is not mentioned by name.

Researchers at the China Institute at the University of Alberta have issued a report that assesses the economic impact of China joining the CPTPP, finding that there are significant benefits to Canada and other CPTPP parties from having China join.

After Australia and China reached agreement on allowing lobster exports to China, Australian government officials have denied that there was a "quid pro quo" deal in which Australia now owes China something, with China's application to join the CPTPP mentioned in this context.

In recent interviews, Chinese Ministry of Commerce officials mapped out the country's efforts on trade talks and renewed its commitment to joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and concluding other free trade agreements (FTAs).

At a think tank event this week, current and former trade officials from Mexico and New Zealand offered their views on China's possible accession to the CPTPP and Mexico's position on China trade in the upcoming USMCA review.

Australia's Productivity Commission, which is the Australian Government's independent research and advisory body on a range of economic, social and environmental issues, has written about the economic gains from China joining the CPTPP.