China not acting like emerging superpower over Stern Hu verdict: Kevin Rudd

Melbourne, Mar 30(ANI): Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has said the Chinese Government has failed to portray itself as an emerging superpower, citing the secrecy they are maintaining in the Stern Hu case.

Hu, an Australian mining executive of Chinese origin, was sentenced to 10 years' jail by a Chinese court on Monday for stealing commercial secrets in relation to sensitive iron ore negotiations and receiving bribes.

Rudd reiterated Australia's claims that part of the trial was held in secret and condemned the sentence as "very harsh".

"This has left serious unanswered questions about this conviction," News.com.au quoted Rudd, as saying.

"In holding this part of the trial in secret, China, I believe, has missed an opportunity to demonstrate to the world at large transparency that would be consistent with its emerging global role," he added.

Rudd further said that his government has made a "strong, high-level and frequent representations" on behalf of Hu, and would continue to do so.

Hu, a former executive of Rio Tinto mining group in Shanghai, was detained with three other Chinese colleagues by the Chinese government on July 5 2009. He was sentenced after he pleaded guilty on Monday.

Meanwhile, the Australian Government has called in the Chinese Ambassador to Australia to discuss the situation, with Rudd, a former diplomat to China, under pressure to intervene on the ssue on a higher profile. (ANI)