This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/8141766.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
China arrest 'not linked to deal' China arrest 'not linked to deal'
(30 minutes later)
Australia's foreign minister has said he saw "no basis" to suggestions that the arrest of a mining executive in China was payback for a cancelled deal.Australia's foreign minister has said he saw "no basis" to suggestions that the arrest of a mining executive in China was payback for a cancelled deal.
Stephen Smith's comments came as Chinese officials confirmed that Rio Tinto's Stern Hu and three others had been arrested on spying charges.Stephen Smith's comments came as Chinese officials confirmed that Rio Tinto's Stern Hu and three others had been arrested on spying charges.
Australian media has speculated the arrests were sparked by Rio cancelling a $19.5bn (£12bn) Chinese investment.Australian media has speculated the arrests were sparked by Rio cancelling a $19.5bn (£12bn) Chinese investment.
Mr Smith said Australian officials were now trying to see Mr Hu.Mr Smith said Australian officials were now trying to see Mr Hu.
The cancelled deal in question was Rio's February announcement that it was to accept a further $19.5bn of investment from China's state-run aluminium group Chinalco.The cancelled deal in question was Rio's February announcement that it was to accept a further $19.5bn of investment from China's state-run aluminium group Chinalco.
The deal would have been the largest-ever Chinese investment in a foreign company, but Rio changed its mind last month, deciding to cancel the agreement and instead launching a tie-up with fellow Anglo-Australian miner BHP Billiton.The deal would have been the largest-ever Chinese investment in a foreign company, but Rio changed its mind last month, deciding to cancel the agreement and instead launching a tie-up with fellow Anglo-Australian miner BHP Billiton.
Chinalco said at the time that it was "very disappointed".Chinalco said at the time that it was "very disappointed".
Seeking consular accessSeeking consular access
Mr Hu, an Australian national, and Rio's main iron ore salesman in China, and the three other Rio employees, were arrested on Sunday charges of stealing state secrets. Mr Hu, an Australian national, and Rio's main iron ore salesman in China, and the three other Rio employees, were arrested on Sunday on charges of stealing state secrets.
"The case is being investigated according to law," said China's official Xinhua news agency. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said there was "sufficient evidence to prove that they have stolen state secrets and have caused huge loss to China's economic interest and security".
The charges carry a maximum term of life imprisonment.
Mr Smith said Australian officials wanted consular access to Mr Hu "to satisfy ourselves as to his welfare, to satisfy ourselves as to his well-being and to get some indication from him as to how we can be of assistance".Mr Smith said Australian officials wanted consular access to Mr Hu "to satisfy ourselves as to his welfare, to satisfy ourselves as to his well-being and to get some indication from him as to how we can be of assistance".
He added that the spying accusations were "very surprising".He added that the spying accusations were "very surprising".