China to allow consular visit to exec

Australian diplomats will be allowed to visit the Rio Tinto executive being detained
in China on Friday.
Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said Chinese authorities had advised the government
late on Thursday that a consular visit to Stern Hu would be allowed to occur on
Friday.
Under a consular agreement between Australia and China, officials had to be given
access to Mr Hu by Saturday.
Mr Hu has been arrested on suspicion of spying and stealing state secrets.
Beijing confirmed access to Mr Hu after Canberra called in the acting Chinese
ambassador on Thursday to stress its concerns over his welfare and being allowed to
see consular officials.
The issue is shaping up as a major test in relations between Australia and China,
its second biggest trading partner.
Beijing was showing no signs of backing down on Thursday, with China's foreign
ministry claiming it had evidence to prove Mr Hu and three Rio Tinto colleagues had
stolen state secrets and severely hurt China's economic interests.
"Competent authorities have sufficient evidence to prove that they have stolen state
secrets and have caused huge loss to China's economic interest and security,"
foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang told reporters.