WA Premier Mark McGowan has defended his dealings with the Chinese, ahead of a meeting today at Crown Perth with representatives from up to 30 state-owned entities and private Chinese investors, at a time of rising tension in the Indo-Pacific.

McGowan told 6PR Mornings host Simon Beaumont that having a relationship with the rogue nation was important, after coming under fire from Strategic Analysis Australia director Michael Shoebridge today, who said his meeting showed Beijing political leaders here are willing to trade off national security and human rights for business cash.

“I don’t understand what they’re on about, do they want us just all to become poorer,” he asked Beaumont.

Press PLAY to hear McGowan discuss cost-of-living pressures in WA