China said Thursday the case of four Rio Tinto employees charged with bribery and violating trade secrets would be handled according to law, adding that their rights will be "fully guaranteed".
"China will handle the case according to China-Australia consular agreements and relevant international conventions and the rights of the defendants will be fully guaranteed," foreign ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said.
A Chinese court has charged the four employees of the mining giant — including Australian national Stern Hu — in a case that has strained diplomatic ties with Canberra.
The group of four, which also includes three Chinese nationals, is charged with seeking and accepting bribes and with obtaining the trade secrets of Chinese steel companies.
Both the Australian government and Rio Tinto responded on Thursday by calling for a transparent and speedy trial.
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