China’s Vice-Premier Li Keqiang recent trip down under only serves as a salutary reminder of the increasingly sophisticated yet tough approach by the PRC in its dealings with weaker nation states such as Australia, writes Tony Lamond.
Rio Tinto 
Why did BHP and Rio Tinto scrap the WA iron ore joint venture?
Why did BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto scrap their plans to jointly market iron ore from the joint venture between their huge iron ore mines in the Pilbara region? Did negotiations with Chinese mills affect it?
Libs in a twist over China
The Coalition just can’t decide what their stand is on China/Australia relations. The only thing they can agree on: all the diplomatic problems are thanks to PM Kevin Rudd, writes Lenore Taylor.
Morning Market Report: Wall St has worst fall in six weeks
Wall St has experienced its worst fall in six weeks, with the Dow closing down 186. The Australian market is down 13.
China softens on Stern Hu
Stern Hu and the three other Rio Tinto employees arrested in China are no longer facing the death sentence or life in prison, after being charged with illegally obtaining corporate secrets and bribery, but not the more serious charges of spying that had been expected.
Rio Tinto Four could go free
Stern Hu and his three Chinese associates have been arrested, but there has been no mention of espionage, the most serious charge of all.
Rio employees officially arrested
The four Rio Tinto employees being detained in China, including Australian Stern Hu, have officially had the cuffs slapped on, according to this China Daily report.
Hell hath no fury like China scorned
China’s recent attacks on Rio Tinto have shown a very ugly side to the country — throwing a tantrum and blaming “dastardly foreigners” whenever something doesn’t go its way. It’s not an image the country can afford if it wants to be a major global player.
China: the new Russia?
China’s recent interference in the private business of Rio Tinto smacks of Vladimir Putin’s Russia, says the Wall Street Journal — and it’s the wrong direction to head in if the country wants to earn the trust and business of foreign companies.
Rio still awaiting evidence of spying
Rio Tinto says it has still seen no evidence to support the detention of its four employees being detained in China for spying.
China’s $100 billion Rio lie
It’s now clear from reports in two leading American news organisations, that the claims about Rio Tinto at the weekend were concocted and embarrassed China.
Political snippets: The great scandal of corporate life
Richard Farmer muses on why Rio Tinto CEO Tom Albanese’s day of reckoning nears, the bright future of Nick Xenophon, “use by” dates and more.
Muddled maths cost Rio
The now disputed accusations that Rio Tinto cost China’s iron ore industry $102 million has wiped $3.3 billion from the company’s value.
The Middle Kingdom’s mixed messages
The Stern Hu affair has taken a ludicrous turn, says Matthew Stevens, as China engage in some Cold War rhetoric with accusations of Rio’s “commercial espionage warfare” and the increasing likelihood that we’re headed for “iron-ore show trials”.
China’s spin offensive
The Chinese government is now backing away from yesterday’s claims that Rio Tinto engaged in commercial espionage, after the source admitted he essentially made it up, says Alan Kohler. Yet the country’s news outlets are still running the story as fact, with the new charge that Australian Stern Hu owns two $17 million villas.
Political snippets: Rio Tinto not alone in not knowing
Where does China draw the line between legitimate market research and illegal commercial espionage? They themselves don’t seem to know, so how can Rio? Richard Farmer investigates.
Crikey Says: Action needed on China and Rio Tinto
Yesterday’s missive from China raises the stakes considerably in the screw-tightening on Rio Tinto and its imprisoned executive Stern Hu. Is it time for stronger diplomatic action?
China: The spy Hu robbed me
In news that bodes poorly for detained Australian Rio Tinto executive Stern Hu, China have broadened their allegations against the company, claiming Rio has waged a campaign of “economic espionage”, stealing state secrets for six years, at a cost of $120b to the country’s economy.
Should Australia appeal for Chinese investors?
An easing of restrictions on foreign investment in Australia by Wayne Swan yesterday does little to change the current issue of Chinese investment in Australia’s rich resources industry.
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: The climate change cage match continues
Crikey’s ongoing climate change cage match continues to draw strong opinions from readers, plus letters on Rio Tinto, First Dog vs Tony Abbott and a great suggestion for a new Crikey slogan…
China’s ore tactics eroded from within
China’s attempts to try and crack the iron ore producers is being undermined by soaring world prices, says Glenn Dyer.
