Taiwan could face China opposition as it seeks membership of Pacific trade group

People buy fruit at a grocery store in Taipei, Taiwan (Chiany Ying-ying/ AP)

Taiwan has applied to join an 11-nation Pacific trade group, Cabinet officials said, setting up a potential clash with rival Beijing over the status of the island democracy.

Taiwan’s application to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership might be disrupted if China, which applied last week, is admitted first, said John Deng, a minister without portfolio.