Australia presses China diplomat as Beijing expands steel investigation

Australian officials pressed China’s acting ambassador to Australia for more details regarding the detention of a Rio Tinto employee for espionage, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing comments by Australia’s Foreign Minister Stephen Smith. Australian citizen Stern Hu and three of his Shanghai-based Chinese staff were detained on July 5 for allegedly stealing state secrets related to ongoing negotiations between Rio and China for iron ore contracts. China meanwhile has broadened an investigation into corruption in its steel industry, detaining or questioning at least seven executives from the steel industry, according to the New York Times. Analysts and industry insiders are said to be fearful of a wave of detentions and arrests in the coming weeks as Beijing continues to examine corrupt practices in the industry.