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.
Stern Hu
The Media Monitors' Top 20: Hu gives Smith, Bishop and Crean a boost? Exactly
The Stern Hu arrest has unsurprisingly launched Stephen Smith, Julie Bishop and Simon Crean way up the list in the battle for political media airtime.
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: Crikey Readers have plenty to fear from the Productivity Commission, apparently
Readers share their thoughts on parallel imports, Stern Hu, Big Sugar and more.
Stern Hu’s no shady dealer
Violin-playing, foreigner-loving Stern Hu couldn’t possibly be a spy, writes Matt Chambers.
Political snippets: Hearing the voice of Rupert at The Oz
Why has The Oz suddenly gone so silent on the issue of China and Stern Hu? And is it time to give Joe Hockey a go?
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: Rudd and China: Hu cares?
Crikey readers on Stern Hu, Xinjiang, Sydney airport and more.
Rudd’s China headache
Kevin Rudd is facing his first big diplomatic crisis, and unfortunately for him, it’s with his BFF, China. But it’s a situation entirely of his own making, says Tory Maguire.
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.”
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
