China Says Australia Ties OK Despite Rio-BHP Deal

BEIJING (AP) — Miner Rio Tinto Group PLC's decision to opt for a tie-up with rival BHP Billiton Ltd. instead of a $19.5 billion deal with Aluminum Corp. of China will not harm wider ties with Australia, a Commerce Ministry spokesman said Monday.

But ministry spokesman Yao Jian did not rule out the possibility of anti-monopoly complaints against Rio and BHP Billiton's proposed venture.

"This single case won't affect China-Australian economic and trade cooperation," Yao said in a routine monthly news briefing. "The trading ties of the two countries are good in general," he said, noting that China is Australia's second biggest trading partner. ...