On the eve of an energy-focused trade mission to China and Japan, Premier Roger Cook has softened his language on the WA government’s uranium mining ban, saying it is “watching this space”. Cook flies to Shanghai on Sunday for a nine-day visit to the state’s number one and two trading partners, respectively, seeking to strengthen ties with business and government. WA Premier Roger Cook is about to set off on a trade mission to China and Japan. Credit: Tony McDonough“These are important relationships and we want to maximise them; this is about WA jobs,” Cook said. “China is our biggest trading partner, taking over 50 per cent of all exports from Western Australia, so obviously it’s important to continue to work with the resources industry customers in China so that they can continue to have confidence.”