China’s trade-pact bid ‘impossible’ for Australia to approve while Beijing’s sanctions remain, sources say

China failed to secure a public endorsement from Australia to join a Pacific Rim-focused trading bloc during a recent high-profile visit to Beijing by Australia’s trade minister, multiple sources tell the Post.

Beijing wanted “a clear commitment from Australia, preferably public” that Canberra would support China’s bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and “deny Taiwan’s membership”, during minister Don Farrell’s trip in Beijing in early May, according to people on the Australian side with direct knowledge of Canberra’s actions.