China claims proof Rio execs spied

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China claims proof Rio execs spied
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/07/09/2621683.htm

By China correspondent Stephen McDonell and staff

Posted 2 hours 29 minutes ago
Updated 44 minutes ago


Accusations ... China says the alleged theft caused a huge loss to its economic security. (File photo) (Reuters: Aly Song )


The Chinese government says it has proof that four senior Rio Tinto executives detained in Shanghai stole state secrets.

Australian man Stern Hu, the head of Rio Tinto's China operations,has been detained in Shanghai along with three other Rio Tinto staff.

The Federal Government spoke to the Chinese Ambassador today andChinese authorities have agreed to allow Australian officials to visitMr Hu tomorrow.

China's Ministry of State Security says Mr Hu has been involved inespionage and stealing state secrets, but he has not been charged.

The arrest of Mr Hu has been the result of an independent judicialprocess, according to official Chinese government spokesman Qin Gang.

But his comments seem to suggest it will be hard for the chief ofRio Tinto's Shanghai operations to beat the allegations in a Chinesecourt.

"The relevant Chinese authorities have sufficient evidence to provethat they have stolen state secrets which has greatly damaged China'seconomic security," said Qin Gang.

He also warned against the politicisation of this issue, saying it would only hurt Australia.

But Australian politicians have weighed in on the matter since the news broke yesterday.

Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull says Prime Minister Kevin Rudd should personally intervene to secure Mr Hu's release.

"The Prime Minister must act immediately to ensure that our fellow Australian is treated fairly," Mr Turnbull said.

But Mr Rudd says the Government is doing all it can to secure Mr Hu's release, and he has accused Mr Turnbull of grandstanding.

"Let's not get engaged in this business of political grandstandingon the home front, let's get on with the practical business ofsupporting Australia in difficult circumstances and that is what theForeign Minister and Australian officials are doing," Mr Rudd said.

"It's the right course of action."

Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett says while he does not knowthe details of the arrest, he has contacted the Chinese consul generalin Perth to express his concern.

Mr Barnett says the arrest of Mr Hu will add tension to therelationship between Australia and China which has already beenstrained by a number of business decisions in WA.

"Chinalco's seeming rejection by Rio Tinto - there is concern aboutBHP and Rio merging, there are issues relating to the Oakajee port andmid-west development," he said.

"I will be going to China at the end of next week and I'll beaddressing each of those issues with Chinese business and Chinesegovernment officials and hopefully can play a role in smoothing thewaters."

The Government says it is staying in close contact with Mr Hu's wife and Rio Tinto.



China claims proof Rio execs spied
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/07/09/2621683.htm

By China correspondent Stephen McDonell and staff
Posted Thu Jul 9, 2009 6:00pm AEST Updated Thu Jul 9, 2009 9:36pm AEST


The Chinese government says it has proof that four senior Rio Tinto executives detained in Shanghai stole state secrets.

Australian man Stern Hu, the head of Rio Tinto's China operations, has been detained in Shanghai along with three other Rio Tinto staff.

The Federal Government spoke to the Chinese Ambassador today and Chinese authorities have agreed to allow Australian officials to visit Mr Hu tomorrow.

China's Ministry of State Security says Mr Hu has been involved in espionage and stealing state secrets, but he has not been charged.

The arrest of Mr Hu has been the result of an independent judicial process, according to official Chinese government spokesman Qin Gang.

But his comments seem to suggest it will be hard for the chief of Rio Tinto's Shanghai operations to beat the allegations in a Chinese court.

"The relevant Chinese authorities have sufficient evidence to prove that they have stolen state secrets which has greatly damaged China's economic security," said Qin Gang.

Mr Qin went on to say that the question of when Stern Hu would be allowed to speak to a lawyer was a matter for other Chinese government departments.

He also warned against the politicisation of this issue, saying it would only hurt Australia.

But Australian politicians have weighed in on the matter since the news broke yesterday.

Calls for Rudd to intervene

Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull says Prime Minister Kevin Rudd should personally intervene to secure Mr Hu's release.

"The Prime Minister must act immediately to ensure that our fellow Australian is treated fairly," Mr Turnbull said.

But Mr Rudd says the Government is doing all it can to secure Mr Hu's release, and he has accused Mr Turnbull of grandstanding.

"Let's not get engaged in this business of political grandstanding on the home front, let's get on with the practical business of supporting Australia in difficult circumstances and that is what the Foreign Minister and Australian officials are doing," Mr Rudd said.

"It's the right course of action."

Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett says while he does not know the details of the arrest, he has contacted the Chinese consul general in Perth to express his concern.

Mr Barnett says the arrest of Mr Hu will add tension to the relationship between Australia and China which has already been strained by a number of business decisions in WA.

"Chinalco's seeming rejection by Rio Tinto - there is concern about BHP and Rio merging, there are issues relating to the Oakajee port and mid-west development," he said.

"I will be going to China at the end of next week and I'll be addressing each of those issues with Chinese business and Chinese government officials and hopefully can play a role in smoothing the waters."

The Government says it is staying in close contact with Mr Hu's wife and Rio Tinto.

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翻译完毕：http://bbs.m4.cn/thread-181155-1-1.html