Australian mining giant Rio Tinto has appointed Ian Bauert, a veteran Putonghua-speaking staffer, to lead its China operation in a move to ease tension amid another round of tough iron ore contract negotiations.
It came seven months after the arrest of Rio's former lead iron ore negotiator in China, Australian citizen Stern Hu, and three other staff members. He remains in detention for allegedly obtaining commercial secrets and bribing mainland steel mill officials to obtain an advantage on iron ore talks.
Bauert, who has been with Rio for more than 30 years, has been appointed managing director for its China operations spanning Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou with 160 employees, Rio said yesterday.
He was most recently managing director of Rio's iron ore sales and marketing operation. He set up the company's first office in China more than 25 years ago.
Rio chief executive Tom Albanese said the position underlines the importance Rio places on enhancing its relationship with China.
'I am deeply committed to developing our relationship with China,' he said. 'Ian's experience and leadership will provide strategic direction and help guide all aspects of our engagement with China, one of our most important partners.'
Unlike his predecessor Tony Loo, who was managing director for Asia and managing director for China, Bauert will focus only on China.
