BBC News
18 March 2010

China has warned against politicising the trial of four Rio Tinto executives, hours after Australia expressed concern over the conduct of proceedings.

Australian national Stern Hu and three other Rio executives go on trial in Shanghai on Monday.

The men are charged with giving and receiving bribes, and illegally obtaining commercial secrets.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said the “world will be watching” how the court case is conducted.

Part of the trial of the four executives is to be held behind closed doors.

It will be open to hear the bribery charges but then be closed to deal with allegations about the theft of commercial secrets.

Soured relations

“I was disappointed that there was an indication from Chinese officials and the court that Australian officials would not be present, or be able to be present, for the commercial information charge,” Foreign Minister Stephen Smith told journalists.     more …