Rio Tinto Asks Foreign Staff to Leave China

[Coventina]

Source: Wall Street Journal

BEIJING -- Anglo-Australian mining company Rio Tinto has asked its foreign staff to leave China or not return to the country after four of its employees were detained earlier this month and accused of stealing state secrets, a person familiar with the situation said.

The espionage case -- which the authorities allege involved the payment of bribes for information related to iron-ore pricing negotiations between Chinese steelmakers and miners -- has raised fears that others connected to the talks could also face legal jeopardy. Rio Tinto says it isn't aware of any misconduct by its employees.

The case has sparked increasingly heated exchanges between foreign officials, warning China that its handling of the case will be closely watched and judged abroad, and their Chinese counterparts, who defend what they say is an effort to defend the country's economic security.

On Thursday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang criticized what he called "noise" from Australia about the detentions. "We absolutely oppose anyone stirring up this case or attempting to interfere in China's judicial independence," he said, adding that such actions wouldn't be "in Australia's interest."



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