China confirms Rio Tinto staff arrests (spy charge: economic warfare?)

Reuters ^ | 07/09/09 | Rob Taylor and Benjamin Kang Lim

[TigerLikesRooster]

China confirms Rio Tinto staff arrests

By Rob Taylor and Benjamin Kang Lim 1 hr 22 mins ago

SYDNEY/BEIJING (Reuters) – China confirmed on Thursday the arrest of an Australian mining executive and three others on spying allegations, in a case that has rattled currency markets and raised questions about China-Australia relations.

The four employees of miner Rio Tinto were arrested on charges of stealing state secrets, the official Xinhua news agency said, citing Shanghai state security authorities.

"The case was being investigated according to law," Xinhua said. It gave no further details.

Reports of the detentions had already emerged from Australian sources in recent days, with investors concerned the affair could hurt trade ties between Australia and its biggest trade partner.

[TigerLikesRooster]

I am sure there are businessmen out there who still believe that this won't happen to them, when they deal with China. However, I urge them to sign up for a short cource on 'how to survive Chinese jail.' There will be 'prison consultants' out there to help them.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Ping!

[LegendHasIt]

Thanks for the update..... So they ARE calling them spies.....

I figured they would have to do something like that, in hopes of salvaging some sort of PR value.

[Perdogg]

I thought it was “Sino-Australia” not “China-Australia”.

[PAR35]

I urge them to sign up for a short cource on 'how to survive Chinese jail.

Don't sign an organ donor card?