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/world/asia-pacific/8579276.stm

The article has changed 36 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Rio Tinto four due in China court Rio Tinto trial opens in Shanghai
(about 5 hours later)
Four employees of international mining group Rio Tinto are going on trial in the Chinese city of Shanghai, charged with bribery and commercial espionage. Four employees of international mining group Rio Tinto have gone on trial in the Chinese city of Shanghai, charged with bribery and commercial espionage.
Australian Stern Hu and his three Chinese colleagues have been held in detention since last summer.Australian Stern Hu and his three Chinese colleagues have been held in detention since last summer.
The Australian government has expressed its concern that its consular officials will be prevented from witnessing some of the court proceedings.The Australian government has expressed its concern that its consular officials will be prevented from witnessing some of the court proceedings.
The case has put an important economic relationship under strain.The case has put an important economic relationship under strain.
Stern Hu was Rio Tinto's lead negotiator in the talks with Chinese steel mills to try to settle a price for China to buy iron ore from Australian mining companies.Stern Hu was Rio Tinto's lead negotiator in the talks with Chinese steel mills to try to settle a price for China to buy iron ore from Australian mining companies.
He and three of his Chinese colleagues on the iron ore sales team were taken from their homes on 5 July last year. They've been held in detention, and have not seen their families ever since.He and three of his Chinese colleagues on the iron ore sales team were taken from their homes on 5 July last year. They've been held in detention, and have not seen their families ever since.
RIO TINTO TRIAL Four executives including one Australian on trialGroup face charges of bribery and illegally obtaining commercial secretsParts of the trial will be held behind closed doors, despite Australian objectionsRIO TINTO TRIAL Four executives including one Australian on trialGroup face charges of bribery and illegally obtaining commercial secretsParts of the trial will be held behind closed doors, despite Australian objections
They are charged with commercial espionage, punishable by up to seven years in prison and taking bribes, a charge that also carries a lengthy jail term.They are charged with commercial espionage, punishable by up to seven years in prison and taking bribes, a charge that also carries a lengthy jail term.
China relies heavily on mining giants like Rio Tinto, to feed its huge appetite for raw materials to power its economy.China relies heavily on mining giants like Rio Tinto, to feed its huge appetite for raw materials to power its economy.
The case is being watched closely by companies around the world for clues as to what dangers their own employees might face when they are working in China.The case is being watched closely by companies around the world for clues as to what dangers their own employees might face when they are working in China.
Australia's raised concerns over whether the men will get a fair trial hear or not.Australia's raised concerns over whether the men will get a fair trial hear or not.
Diplomats will be barred from some parts of the hearing that will take place behind closed doors.Diplomats will be barred from some parts of the hearing that will take place behind closed doors.
But China has rejected criticism of the arrangements, warning its critics not to attempt to politicise the court proceedings.But China has rejected criticism of the arrangements, warning its critics not to attempt to politicise the court proceedings.