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China arrest 'not linked to deal' | China arrest 'not linked to deal' |
(10 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 launch 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 access | Seeking 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 on 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. |
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". | 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. | 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". |