Australia signs multibillion-dollar LNG deal with ChinaAugust 18th, 2009 SYDNEY - Australia will supply China with liquefied natural gas (LNG) worth 50 billion Australian dollars (US $41 billion), officials said Tuesday. It's Australia's largest resources deal ever, double the size of the LNG supply deal sealed last week with India.
Rio Tinto 'still unaware' of any evidence to justify China's detention of 4 workersAugust 11th, 2009 Rio Tinto 'still unaware' of China case evidenceSYDNEY — Rio Tinto Ltd. said Tuesday it was still unaware of any evidence to justify China's detention of four employees on spying allegations, as the Australian government urged Beijing to speed up the case.
Chinese diplomat says Beijing has 'ample evidence' detained Rio employees stole secretsJuly 22nd, 2009 China says 'ample evidence' against Rio employeesBEIJING — China has told Australia it has "ample evidence" a detained Australian manager for miner Rio Tinto Ltd. and three co-workers stole state secrets, a Chinese diplomat said Wednesday.
Australian FM says detention of Rio Tinto employees in China will not be resolved quicklyJuly 22nd, 2009 Australia FM: Rio case won't be resolved quicklyPHUKET, Thailand — Australia pressed China again Wednesday for a quick resolution to the case of a Rio Tinto manager accused of espionage while acknowledging it will not be settled with one meeting of the two sides. Speaking on the sidelines of a regional conference, the Australian foreign minister Stephen Smith said he still hoped to meet his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi about the matter in the next day.
Australian appeals to China for quick Rio resolution, warns of possible business impactJuly 21st, 2009 Australian asks China for quick Rio resolutionSHANGHAI — A visiting Australian state leader said he appealed to Chinese officials Tuesday to quickly resolve the case of a Rio Tinto Ltd. manager accused of espionage, warning that delays could harm business ties.
Australian foreign minister hopes to talk with Chinese officials about Australian's arrestJuly 21st, 2009 Australian FM hopes to discuss Australian's arrestCANBERRA, Australia — Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said Tuesday that he hoped to discuss with his Chinese counterpart this week the arrest of an Australian mining executive accused by China of stealing state secrets. Smith flies to Thailand on Tuesday for an Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum.
Australia: Detention of Rio employee on spy charges could hurt foreign business in ChinaJuly 12th, 2009 Australia: Employee detention could hurt China bizBEIJING — The detention of an Australian Rio Tinto Ltd. employee on spying charges could damage the business environment for foreign companies wanting to work in China, an Australian cabinet minister said Sunday.
Australia wants evidence from China on Rio Tinto exec's detention, says it could hurt businessJuly 12th, 2009 Australia: Rio detention could hurt China businessBEIJING — Australian officials said Sunday that China has not given them any evidence to support its detention of an Australian mining executive on spying charges and warned that the affair could discourage foreign companies from doing business there. Foreign Minister Stephen Smith told reporters in western Australia that officials will seek information Monday on the detention of Rio Tinto employee Stern Hu.
Rio Tinto detention tests Australia's relations with ChinaJuly 11th, 2009 SYDNEY - Resources giant Rio Tinto Ltd Saturday welcomed news that its Shanghai-based executive Stern Hu was in good health after almost a week in detention over spying allegations. "Rio Tinto continues to work to support its four China employees and their families and colleagues," the dual Sydney-London-listed company said in a statement about Hu, an Australian, and three Chinese employees.
Australian minister in China expresses concern over detention of Rio employee on spy chargesJuly 11th, 2009 Australian concerned for Rio employee China holdsBEIJING — Australia's trade minister met Saturday with Chinese officials and said his government is "deeply concerned" about the detention of a Rio Tinto Ltd. employee on spying charges.
Australian minister, in China, expresses 'strong concern' about detention of Rio employeeJuly 11th, 2009 Australian expresses concern over Rio detentionBEIJING — Australia's trade minister met Saturday with Chinese officials and said he expressed "strong concern" about the detention of a Rio Tinto Ltd. employee on spying charges, a news report said.
Australian diplomats meet executive held in China for spyingJuly 10th, 2009 SYDNEY - Australian diplomats Friday met the Rio Tinto executive held by Chinese authorities since Sunday over spying allegations. Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith would not comment on reports in the Chinese media that Australian citizen Stern Hu stood accused of trying to bribe employees of Chinese steel companies to gather confidential information during iron ore price negotiations.
India hopes student concerns in Australia will be addressedJune 1st, 2009 NEW DELHI - External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna Monday said that India was in touch with Australia over protests by Indian students alleging racist attacks and expressed the hope that their problems will get "sorted out".
Oz PM to send 450 troopers to beef up Afghan securityApril 29th, 2009 CANBERRA - Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has announced that his government will send 450 extra troops to beef up security in troubled Afghanistan. However, there will be no combat troops among the latest contingent.
Australians warned there is no free lunchMarch 12th, 2009 SYDNEY - Australians were warned of higher taxes to pay for the cash hand-outs they began receiving Thursday from Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's 42-billion-Australian-dollar ($26-billion) stimulus package. 'They've got to understand that the cheques that are going out now are borrowed money,' former treasurer Peter Costello said.