MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Australia extends China, Rio Tinto “aluminum medal”

Australia has backed Chinese aluminum giant Chinalco's recent purchase of an 11% stake in Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto.

Australian National Treasurer Wayne Swan approved the purchase on condition state-owned Chinalco did not buy more Rio shares. The 14.05 billion US dollars purchase, backed by US firm Alcoa, is China's largest ever offshore investment. China's investments overseas have raised fears of political interference in strategically important industries. "While Australia welcomes foreign investment in our economy, we will carefully examine national interest issues where these arise in relation to foreign sovereign ownership," Mr Swan said. "I have determined that the undertakings agreed with Chinalco are acceptable for protecting the national interest in this matter," he added. China agreed not to seek to appoint a director to the firm's boards. China bought a 14.99% shareholding in Rio's London-listed company, which equates to an interest of around 11% in the whole group which includes the Australian listed firm. Rio Tinto is also fighting off a hostile takeover proposal from BHP Billiton, - the world's largest miner. China fears that if the takeover were successful, the combined firms would have a stranglehold on the world's supplies of iron ore and other raw materials. (BBC).-