Beijing’s participation in regional digital economy deals would not only get it a bigger role in rules-setting but also help consolidate its ties with partners like Singapore to counter American containment strategies. That is according to Chinese analysts tracking the country’s bid to join the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA), the world’s first digital-only trade agreement. Many were caught by surprise earlier this month when President Xi Jinping announced that China had applied to join DEPA, a deal aiming to establish rules and promote collaboration in digital trade, which has Singapore, New Zealand and Chile as the current signatories. Beijing’s…