The trial of four Rio Tinto employees, accused of bribery and of stealing commercial secrets, commenced in China. The accused include an Australian national Stern Hu. The four employees, who are members of Rio Tinto’s iron ore team, were detained in China last summer.

The detention of these employees under the opaque state secret laws of the state elicited endemic uproar.

The case has bought the world’s attention to the threats integrated in conducting business and commerce in China.

The Chinese media indicted the four with charges of seeking information about Chinese steel mills and mines last summer. However, Rio continues to maintain that the four employees are innocent.

The trial has caused consternation to the Australian Government since China has barred Australian diplomats from observing the trial. Australian diplomats opine that they have a full right to be present in the trial owing to the fact that one of the accused on trial is an Australian national.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd evinced, "The Australian government will be monitoring the trial very carefully. China has a different legal system to Australia; China has a different legal system to the rest of the world."

The trial, scheduled to start on Monday, will last three days.