National

Regional

Taiwan, HK, Macao

Special Coverage

Focus

Society

Profiles

Laigang executive probed for involvement in Rio case

(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-07-15 11:23

Wang Hongjiu, a senior executive of major Chinese steel mill Laigang Group is under investigation for "providing secrets to Stern Hu", the head of Australian mining company Rio Tinto’s Shanghai office, media reported earlier Wednesday.

Related readings:  'Bribery is widespread' in Rio case  Secrets of Chinese steel mills found in Rio's computers  Australia: Rio case not to affect trade ties  Detained Rio Tinto executive in good health: Australian FM  Rio spy case may hamper iron ore talks

Hu was one of four employees of the Australian iron ore supplier Rio Tinto detained in Shanghai on July 5 on charges of espionage. The Chinese government is now investigating executives of domestic steel mills to see whether they illegally provided information to Rio.

The China Daily also reported Wednesday that executives from all 16 Chinese steel mills participating in iron ore price talks this year had been bribed by Rio Tinto employees.

Wang is the head of Laigang's ocean shipping department. An insider familiar with Wang said he was “taken away” by the authorities on July 5th. The insider also said he was quite surprised when hearing the news because he believed Wang Hongjiu is an "honest and industrious" man.

"Wang's work is to contact with foreign iron ore suppliers and he knows the market of iron ore transporting quite well," the insider said.