AN Australian executive and three Chinese officials with mining giant Rio Tinto have pleaded guilty to accepting bribes in a Shanghai court.

Four staff from mining giant Rio Tinto pleaded guilty today to taking bribes in a case seen as part of a harsh new attitude toward foreign business in China.

Four workers for mining giant Rio Tinto went on trial in China today accused of stealing secrets and offering bribes.

China has told Australian officials it is conducting a criminal investigation of Rio Tinto employees with a focus on commercial and economic issues rather than espionage, Australia’s foreign minister said today.