Foreign Ministry: Rio Tinto case does not affect cooperation between Chinese and foreign enterprises

Xinhua Beijing, July 14 (Celestino, Qintie) Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang 14th, said the Australian Rio Tinto Group employees suspected of stealing China's state secrets will not affect China's cooperation with foreign companies. At a regular press conference, Qin said the case was a judicial case.　　Rio Tinto officials have taken action against them according to law by illegally stealing China's state secrets and seriously endangering China's economic security and economic interests. "But this is not to say that we now want to restrict the cooperation of foreign companies in China, nor to restrict cooperation between Chinese and foreign enterprises."　　"he said. Qin said that China firmly pursues a mutually beneficial opening-up strategy. Since the reform and opening-up, China has attracted a large amount of foreign capital, which is beneficial not only to China but also to foreign companies and countries. China attracts foreign investment in the first place for 17 consecutive years, and its important reason is that China's legal system is constantly improving and perfecting, and the Chinese government protects the lawful and legitimate rights of foreign enterprises in China according to law. Foreign enterprises also have the responsibility and obligation to comply with Chinese laws and regulations, "if any enterprises or individuals in violation of Chinese law, it can only be dealt with according to law."　　"He stressed. Qin said that in the future, we will continue to invest in China for foreign enterprises and create favorable conditions for cooperation between Chinese and foreign enterprises.　　The vast majority of foreign enterprises to China's investment environment evaluation is positive.　　He said that the Chinese authorities are investigating the case according to law, the need for some people to trial, the action taken by the relevant personnel is based on the facts and laws, the relevant departments will deal with the case according to law. The Shanghai State Security Bureau confirmed to Xinhua news agency 9th that 4 employees of the Australian Rio Tinto Group's Shanghai office were detained for allegedly stealing Chinese state secrets in Shanghai. These include Stern Hu, general manager of the Office, and head of China in Rio Tinto's iron ore division.