China’s attempts to try and crack the iron ore producers is being undermined by soaring world prices, says Glenn Dyer.
Rio Tinto 
Stern Hu and the unpleasant truth about Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto is a company renowned for playing hard-ball in its commercial operations around the world.
The strange, profitable world of the junior lawyer
The use of cheaper overseas labour could prove to be a boon for Australian legal partnerships, writes Adam Schwab.
China gives Australia a Stern rebuke
China’s new comments on the Stern Hu case have put Kevin Rudd in a difficult position. He’s now caught between antagonising Australia’s biggest trading partner and appearing too soft at home, write John Garnaut and Michelle Grattan.
China’s ore war will change the world
The Rio arrests could prove counterproductive for China’s plans to re-make the global marketplace in its image, says Holman W. Jenkins.
Stern Hu: The man who knew too much
Those expecting a backlash against China over its arrest of four Rio Tinto employees are still waiting, writes Alan Kohler.
Death for bribery: China ramps the propaganda war
Reading reports from Chinese news agencies leaves no doubt that Stern Hu and Rio Tinto will be convicted one way or another.
The envelope please: Rio’s winning way with public relations
For global mining behemoth Rio Tinto, it appears red envelopes extend beyond Feng Shui into the realm of cash for comment.
China, Australia and Rio Tinto: economic/resource shadow war?
The arrest of ethnic Chinese and Australian citizen executives of Rio Tinto in Shanghai has crystallised the differences in the two countries’ economic culture and political systems, writes Tony Lamond.
Hu and 420 others: Aussies on the beermat
As the PM issues soundbites over China’s detention of Rio Tinto executive Stern Hu, Crikey thought it pertinent to cast an eye over other, less prominent, Australians languishing in overseas gulags.
Morning Market Report: Another sunny day for the market
The market is having another good day — up 41, while the Dow Jones closed up 27.
Stern Hu’s no shady dealer
Violin-playing, foreigner-loving Stern Hu couldn’t possibly be a spy, writes Matt Chambers.
Bribery ‘widespread’ in Rio case — China’s startling claims
Executives from all 16 Chinese steel mills participating in iron ore price talks this year have been bribed by Rio Tinto employees, an industry insider claimed yesterday. That’s the nub of a sensational story in China Daily.
Rudd hurting over Rio Tinto fiasco
Why Rudd is now wishing he learnt French at school. Or Latin. Anything but Mandarin.
China, Australia and Rio Tinto: a lose-lose-lose situation
Rudd has returned home with no way to extricate Stern Hu, China is digging it its heels (to its own detriment) and for Rio Tinto, the disaster just keeps on escalating, says Jennifer Hewitt.
China will do whatever it likes. Hu knew!
Kevin Rudd suddenly finds himself in the firing line for failing to meet Australians’ expectations about how we should be treated overseas. But, says Bernard Keane, Australia can’t control what the Chinese do.
China’s iron ore import boom rolls on
The context for the deepening brawl between China, Rio Tinto and Australia, has been illustrated with news that China’s iron ore import boom shows no signs of easing.
Political snippets: A little red warning light on Stern Hu
The presumed innocence of Stern Hu and the return of the residential investor.
So much for a Mandarin-speaking PM
Rudd has tried to dismiss the boiling diplomatic issue of Australian Stern Hu’s ongoing detention in China as “a consular case”. As if, says Jennifer Hewett: “This is a full-blown, fast-moving crisis.”
The art of doing business (and avoiding trouble) in China
With Rio Tinto employee Stern Hu being held captive by the Chinese, and expats really concerned, as revealed in Crikey yesterday, we consult Mike Berrell who’s been working there on and off for 15 years.
Crikey wrap: The curious case of Stern Hu
The continued detention of an Australian national in China is fast becoming a very sticky diplomatic situation for Kevin Rudd. Will Rudd put his Mandarin skills to use and give a stern ultimatum?
Crikey Says: A few words on diplomacy with China
A Chinese proverb for Kevin Rudd: A rat who gnaws at a cat’s tail invites destruction.
The strange case of Stern Hu
Both the Federal Government and Rio Tinto seem genuinely mystified about why Stern Hu is being held captive by the Chinese, writes Michelle Grattan. If their government can’t produce a good reason, it might be time for Rudd to get off the fence.
More commentary
- SHERIDAN: Big risk in nasty business
- MAIDEN: A conspiracy theorist’s goldmine
- GARNAUT: A man of integrity
Australians working in China are terrified
The arrest of the general manager for Rio Tinto’s iron ore operations in China has sent shockwaves through the expat community, reports Isabelle Oderberg.
