Aust-China relations improving: Smith

25 Oct 2009, 4:38 pm   -   Source: AAP
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Foreign Minister Stephen Smith says that while the Stern Hu case has put a significant strain on relations between Beijing and Canberra, "things are getting back to business as usual".

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Foreign Minister Stephen Smith says that while the Stern Hu case has put a significant strain on relations between Beijing and Canberra, "things are getting back to business as usual".
 
The Shanghai-based head of Rio Tinto's iron ore operations in China, and three others, were detained on July 5 accused of corporate espionage and bribery.
 
Chinese authorities this week announced they had extended their investigations into Mr Hu.
 
The case has been discussed between Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit.
 
"It's a good thing that the pime minister has met with Premier Wen Jiabao in the margins of the East Asia Summit," Mr Smith said.
 
"Whilst we've had some significant tensions in the relationship, we believe very much in the last month or so things are getting back to business as usual and that's a very good thing with a very important relationship."
 
Mr Smith said the matter was being treated primarily as a consular case.
 
"We continue to urge the Chinese authorities to bring this matter to a conclusion as quickly as possible, to expedite it."
 

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