英澳礦業巨頭力拓公司針對中國將其上海的員工以在鐵礦石合同談判中受賄透露國家機密為由的指控進行辯駁。此次拘留也在澳大利亞國內掀起了不小的轟動，并開始質問國外企業在中國的運營情況。中國外交部發言人秦剛稱：“我們強烈反對那些妄圖利用此事干涉中國司法獨立權的做法，此事并不涉及澳大利亞國家利益。”

Rio denies Chinese allegation （陳述）of bribery（受賄）

Rio Tinto（力拓）, the Anglo-Australian mining giant（英澳礦業巨頭）, on Friday rejected Chinese allegations that four of its employees detained（扣留） in Shanghai were involved in bribery and stealing state secrets（國家機密） during tense iron ore contract negotiations（緊張的鐵礦石合同談判）.

The detentions have caused a furore（喧鬧） in Australia and raised questions about how foreign businesses operate in China.

Sam Walsh, Rio’s iron ore chief, said claims that the employees were bribing officials at Chinese steel mills were wholly without foundation.

“We remain fully supportive of our detained employees, and believe that they acted at all times with integrity （正直）and in accordance with Rio Tinto’s strict and publicly-stated code of ethical behaviour（公共道德行為規范）,” he said in a statement.

Mr Walsh added that the miner continued to operate in China and was maintaining high levels of iron ore shipments（船運，水運） from its Pilbara operations in Western Australia（西澳大利亞洲的皮爾巴拉行動）.

Rio has maintained the innocence of the Shanghai-based employees — including Australian citizen Stern Hu — ever since they were taken in this month, but Friday’s statement was the first time the company had stood behind the four so vehemently.

Gary Locke, the new US commerce secretary（商務秘書長）, promised he would raise the case of Mr Hu with Beijing.

China’s foreign ministry had warned the Australian government against interference.

“We resolutely oppose anyone deliberately whipping up this case or trying to interfere in China’s judicial independence（司法獨立）,” Qin Gang, foreign ministry spokesman, told reporters on Thursday. ”This is not in Australia’s interest.”

Stephen Smith, Australia’s foreign minister, met He Yafei, his Chinese counterpart, in Cairo on Thursday. He said the investigation by Chinese authorities was ongoing.

Rio’s London-listed shares were 1.27 per cent higher at £21.07 in early trading.

Keke Vew: 　力拓（Rio Tinto）：世界第三大礦業公司，最早成立于1873年。在全球擁有60多家子公司。2003-2004財年，總收入156.95億澳元，總市值698.3億澳元，雇傭員工3.5萬人。中國在澳最大投資項目恰那鐵礦就是與該公司在西澳的子公司哈默斯利鐵礦公司的合作成果。該公司向中國出口鐵礦砂、銅、鋁礬土、氧化鋁、鋁等礦產品。董事會主席保羅·斯金納（Paul Skinner），首席執行官利·克利福德（Leigh Clifford）。地址：Level 33, 55 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000。