ID :
74625
Mon, 08/10/2009 - 20:10
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/74625
The shortlink copeid
Rudd govt downplays Beijing`s Rio claims
The Rudd government has played down new accusations by Beijing against mining giant
Rio Tinto that may affect the case of detained Australian Stern Hu.
Through its state secrets agency, China has accused mining giant Rio Tinto of spying
on Chinese companies for six years, saying it had cost the Asian superpower more
than $100 billion over that period.
The claims could have implications for Mr Hu, a senior iron ore sales executive for
Rio Tinto, who has been detained by Chinese authorities for more than a month.
Mr Hu, who was detained with three Chinese colleagues on July 5, is accused of
spying and stealing state secrets.
He has not been charged and is allowed only one consular visit a month.
Officials are getting ready for a second meeting with Mr Hu, who had his first visit
on July 10.
"The consul-general in Shanghai will be shortly making arrangements for a second
visit," a spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said on Monday.
The Rudd government vowed it would continue to take a "close interest in Mr Hu's
welfare".
"The government continues to give very high priority to the case, including through
representations in Beijing, Shanghai and Canberra," a spokesperson for Foreign
Minister Stephen Smith said.
But it rejected suggestions the claims from Beijing were new.
"The allegations referred to on the National Secrets Protection Bureau website are
not new," the spokesperson said.
"The government has always said the Stern Hu case was complex and involved serious
allegations."
But Chris Nailer, a senior lecturer in international business at the Australian
National University, says the latest report did appear to take the issue to another
level.
"I think when the term spying is used it becomes a bigger issue than when it appears
to have been more an issue of individual conduct," he told ABC radio.
"I do think that this latest report that has used the term spying certainly
increases the odds for everybody - it makes it a bigger concern."
Beijing is claiming that Rio Tinto's alleged spying had forced Chinese steel
companies to pay 700 billion yuan ($A121.5 billion) more for imported iron ore than
they otherwise would have over the six years.
Rio Tinto that may affect the case of detained Australian Stern Hu.
Through its state secrets agency, China has accused mining giant Rio Tinto of spying
on Chinese companies for six years, saying it had cost the Asian superpower more
than $100 billion over that period.
The claims could have implications for Mr Hu, a senior iron ore sales executive for
Rio Tinto, who has been detained by Chinese authorities for more than a month.
Mr Hu, who was detained with three Chinese colleagues on July 5, is accused of
spying and stealing state secrets.
He has not been charged and is allowed only one consular visit a month.
Officials are getting ready for a second meeting with Mr Hu, who had his first visit
on July 10.
"The consul-general in Shanghai will be shortly making arrangements for a second
visit," a spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said on Monday.
The Rudd government vowed it would continue to take a "close interest in Mr Hu's
welfare".
"The government continues to give very high priority to the case, including through
representations in Beijing, Shanghai and Canberra," a spokesperson for Foreign
Minister Stephen Smith said.
But it rejected suggestions the claims from Beijing were new.
"The allegations referred to on the National Secrets Protection Bureau website are
not new," the spokesperson said.
"The government has always said the Stern Hu case was complex and involved serious
allegations."
But Chris Nailer, a senior lecturer in international business at the Australian
National University, says the latest report did appear to take the issue to another
level.
"I think when the term spying is used it becomes a bigger issue than when it appears
to have been more an issue of individual conduct," he told ABC radio.
"I do think that this latest report that has used the term spying certainly
increases the odds for everybody - it makes it a bigger concern."
Beijing is claiming that Rio Tinto's alleged spying had forced Chinese steel
companies to pay 700 billion yuan ($A121.5 billion) more for imported iron ore than
they otherwise would have over the six years.
