Rio Tinto trial line: Keep it apolitical
Source: Xinhua/Shanghai Daily |
March 19, 2010, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINA does not want the Rio Tinto case to be politicized and negatively affect China-Australia relations, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said yesterday.
In response to a question about the trial of four Rio Tinto employees that begins in Shanghai next Monday, Qin said the case was "strictly commercial."
Qin's remarks came after comments yesterday by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
"The world will be watching how this particular court case is conducted," Rudd told reporters in Canberra.
Rudd said his government would do "everything necessary" to support the Anglo-Australian miner's staff.
China arrested the four Rio staff members, including Australian citizen Stern Hu, last July on charges of bribery and stealing business secrets.
The trial will be open to hear the bribery charges but closed on the other counts.
Under the commercial secrets charge, courts can jail people for up to seven years in serious cases. The bribery charge could draw jail terms of up to 20 years.
At a regular press briefing in Beijing, Qin urged all parties to respect the authority of the court, saying they should not start making comments and disturb the legal handling of the case by Chinese authorities before it opens.
Qin said Chinese authorities would handle the case in line with legal procedures and consular agreements with Australia.
In response to a question that Australian diplomats are to be excluded from part of the trial concerning commercial secrets, Qin said China's sovereign rights of justice should not be confused with its consular agreements with Australia.
In response to a question about the trial of four Rio Tinto employees that begins in Shanghai next Monday, Qin said the case was "strictly commercial."
Qin's remarks came after comments yesterday by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
"The world will be watching how this particular court case is conducted," Rudd told reporters in Canberra.
Rudd said his government would do "everything necessary" to support the Anglo-Australian miner's staff.
China arrested the four Rio staff members, including Australian citizen Stern Hu, last July on charges of bribery and stealing business secrets.
The trial will be open to hear the bribery charges but closed on the other counts.
Under the commercial secrets charge, courts can jail people for up to seven years in serious cases. The bribery charge could draw jail terms of up to 20 years.
At a regular press briefing in Beijing, Qin urged all parties to respect the authority of the court, saying they should not start making comments and disturb the legal handling of the case by Chinese authorities before it opens.
Qin said Chinese authorities would handle the case in line with legal procedures and consular agreements with Australia.
In response to a question that Australian diplomats are to be excluded from part of the trial concerning commercial secrets, Qin said China's sovereign rights of justice should not be confused with its consular agreements with Australia.
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