Would Singapore invite China into CPTPP?

The anti China TPP, conceived with one specific purpose, to isolate China, went ahead without the Americans and formed a half past six grouping under a modified name called CPTPP.  The non participation of America in such a trade grouping would have effectively rendered it a no go proposition. What is there left without the American market?

Under normal conditions, the remaining participants would go around hunting for an equivalent big economy to replace the Americans. The obvious choice was China. But the obvious choice was that China was the main enemy and should not be the choice. Grudgingly they went ahead, on a limb, to sign a trade pact that is as good as a non pact. The persistence of some members in the grouping not wanting to give up is understandable. Without China is the key agenda and going ahead without China is still like half a bird in the bush is better than none. China was excluded and they have achieved what they set out to do.

Hsien Loong is in China to attend the Boao Forum and would follow up with a working visit to China to meet Wang Yi and to discuss areas of cooperation. The test balloon floated, oops, oops, wrong choice of word, the main agenda is to invite China to join the lame duck CPTPP.  At least this what I perceived from the statements he made in the media. 

In Channel News Asia it was reported that "Mr Lee highlighted the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which was renamed after the withdrawal of the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which is a proposed FTA spearheaded by the ten ASEAN member states and involving six major trading partners, including China....that these two agreements will boost economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region and promote a seamless flow of goods, services and business that will benefit all countries.

“The CPTPP, which was recently signed, is an open and inclusive agreement. We welcome China, and others, to join the CPTPP when they are ready,” Mr Lee said....

Singapore will continue to support China’s constructive participation in the regional architecture as well as the international system,” Mr Lee said."

The last two sentences are as good as Singapore taking an initiative to invite China into the CPTPP.  anyone reading it as otherwise? This trip to China could be ground breaking in Singapore China relationship. In a way the term test balloon could be quite appropriate in the sense that Japan would never agree to have China in the CPTPP. Did Hsien Loong speak to Abe and had his concurrence to brood this matter with China? If not, the suggestion is as good as cheap talk. Japan would definitely throw its weight down to oppose China's entry. China is not just a historical enemy of Japan, its admission into CPTPP would mean that Japan would no longer be the undisputed leader to call the shot and to drive the CPTPP against China's interests.

Not only that, there is the big bad wolf lurking in the dark corner, not in the CPTPP does not mean that the Americans have no say in China's entry into the CPTPP. The Americans would use their veto card to stop China and all the American cronies and little USAs would not be able to say no.

Would Singapore take a lead against the interests of Japan and the USA to invite China into the CPTPP? Does Singapore have the heft and influence to make this happen? Or would it be a case that Singapore has done its best but were blocked by other interested parties to keep China out of the grouping?

Let's see what comes out of this China trip.

In today's news, it was reported that Hsien Loong has inked a couple of MOUs with Li Keqiang on the BRI and to promote  cross cultural cooperation. There was some mention of the RCEP but nothing about the CPTPP. Perhaps my reservations on Japan not going to agree to China's entry and the USA, though no longer a party, would also not permit China to be admitted to the CPTPP. The vacuum cannot be filled by China. Any other country will do but not China. So looks like Singapore is not going to be able to do a thing on this.