Rio employees receive 'tough' jail sentences

Canberra 'respects' China's legal system

SHANGHAI - Four employees of British-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto were sentenced on Monday to jail terms ranging from seven to 14 years for taking bribes and stealing commercial secrets - a verdict the Australian government described as "very tough".

The Shanghai No 1 Intermediate People's Court sentenced Stern Hu, an Australian national who headed Rio's iron ore operations in China, to seven years in prison for taking bribes, and five years for stealing commercial secrets. However, he will serve 10 years in jail, the court said. Hu was also fined 1 million yuan ($146,000).