Western Australia Leader Laments Lack of ‘Appreciation’ for China From Eastern States

Read MoreWestern Australian (WA) Premier Mark McGowan has lauded the state’s relationship with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) while lamenting the lack of appreciation from Australia’s eastern states for the country’s trading ties with China. His comments come amid ongoing tensions in the Australia-China relationship due to Beijing-instigated foreign interference, industrial-scale cyberattacks, and economic coercion. “It has been a large part of the economic success and the cultural success of our state and our country for 50 years, and in particular over the last two years,” he said at an Oct. 1 event commemorating the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the CCP hosted by the China Australia Business Council in Perth. Also present was mining magnate and billionaire, Andrew Forrest. “Where would the country have been, but for our strong economic performance here in Western Australia?” he said, according to the ABC. “And I think that perhaps that needs to …