By Jesse Riseborough and Madelene Pearson
Nov. 12 (Bloomberg) -- China, the world’s biggest buyer of iron ore, extended its investigation of Rio Tinto Group employee Stern Hu by two months, Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said.
“We were informed during the Nov. 9 consular visit to Mr. Hu that the Chinese authorities have extended the investigation by another two months,” the department said today in an e- mailed statement. “This extension is in addition to the earlier one-month extension of the investigation approved by Chinese authorities.”
Australian Stern Hu, head of Rio’s iron ore business in China, and three Chinese colleagues have been detained since July and were formally arrested in August, straining ties between the two countries. China is Australia’s biggest trading partner with two-way trade valued at A$83 billion ($77 billion) in the 12 months ended June 30.
China’s investigation was earlier extended in October according to the department, which said details of the charges won’t be known before the trial. Hu was in “good spirits,” Australia’s Trade Minister Simon Crean said Oct. 1.
“We are visiting him regularly to ensure that his health and welfare are appropriately safeguarded in the detention centre,” the department said today. “Consular visits are taking place at least monthly, as provided for in the bilateral consular agreement.”
Melbourne-based Rio spokesman Tony Shaffer declined to comment. The stock rose 1.9 percent to A$69.90 at 2:33 p.m. Sydney time on the Australian stock exchange.
To contact the reporter on this story: Jesse Riseborough in Melbourne at jriseborough@bloomberg.net; Madelene Pearson in Melbourne on mpearson1@bloomberg.net
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