Twice this week, China has reminded western companies that it is open for business, but not an open society. Google's battle with the censors has entered a new phase. And Stern Hu, Rio Tinto's chief iron ore salesman in China, was admitted to the Shanghai court where he and three fellow Rio employees are being tried on charges of taking bribes.

Mr Hu has confessed, which helps explain the vigour with which authorities pursued the case and the attitude of the Anglo-Australian miner, which had proclaimed its employees' innocence. Ironically, just as Mr Hu was facing prosecutors in China's commercial capital, Tom Albanese, Rio's chief executive, was paying homage to the elites in Beijing.

Mr Hu's admission should be treated with caution. Prosecutors may have a solid case. But after nine months in detention and with minimal legal representation, Mr Hu may have been tempted to say almost anything to reduce the 20-year-plus prison sentence he faces for alleged bribe-taking and stealing of commercial secrets.