The trial of Stern Hu, Rio Tinto’s head iron ore salesman in China, and three of his Chinese associates continued on Tuesday in Shanghai as the four faced charges of taking bribes and stealing commercial secrets. If found guilty, the men could face a maximum sentence of 20 years, according to Tao Wuping, lawyer for one of the accused.

Mr Hu, an Australian citizen, and the other three Rio employees on Monday admitted taking some bribes, raising questions about the Anglo-Australian miner’s business practices on the mainland. But the accused are expected to argue in Tuesday’s session that some of the amounts they received were legitimate commissions on iron ore sales and not bribes, in an attempt to reduce their sentence.

Trial of Rio employees continues in Shanghai