Fair business landscape

Monday's verdict by a Shanghai court against the four defendants in the Rio Tinto case drew an initial end to a months-long dispute that has defused tension between China and Australia. The four employees of the British-Australian iron ore giant Rio Tinto, including Australian citizen Stern Hu, were given seven to 14 years in jail for bribery and stealing commercial secrets.

The court case has been handled in line with Chinese laws. Only by bringing justice to the guilty can the dignity of the law be upheld. The verdict will also guarantee a healthy environment for businesses.

As an isolated court case, the Rio Tinto case should not be used to gauge the climate of Sino-Australian relationship. The case together with several other mishaps last year has sunk bilateral ties to a new low that hasn't been felt in years. This has done a disservice to building mutual trust and understanding between the two governments and two peoples.