22 March 2010 / AP, SHANGHAI
An Australian executive and three other employees of mining giant Rio Tinto face charges of stealing secrets and offering bribes in a Shanghai trial beginning Monday that is viewed as a barometer of China’s handling of foreign business.
China has warned against politicizing the case, which has been an irritant in relations with Australia. Australia has protested the plan to close court sessions involving the commercial secrets charges. The trial comes at a time of friction with the US over China’s currency policies and doubts among some in the foreign business community over Beijing’s commitment to an open and fair business environment. Australian citizen Stern Hu and three Chinese nationals were arrested nine months ago at a time when Rio Tinto was acting as lead negotiator for global iron ore suppliers in price talks with Chinese steel mills. Hu was Rio Tinto’s senior executive in China in charge of iron ore.
