Chinese Rio Tinto prisoners to contest jail terms

According to their lawyers, Wang Yong and Liu Caiku were sentenced to prison for 14 and seven years respectively. Ge Minquiang have not yet decided to appeal his eight years of sentence.

On the other hand, the lawyer defending Australian citizen Stern Hu refused to comment.

Stern Hu was sentenced for 10 years in prison.

Lawyers also disclosed to the public that Liu expressed to appeal on Friday while Wang will discuss his appeal on Monday.

The lawyers representing the defendants said their clients were treated fair and square during the trial.

On the same day after hearing the verdict, Rio Tinto fired the four convicted employees for accepting bribes.

Last week's verdict has affected the Australian government as it has posed a series of unanswered questions and increased a lot of tension between the two countries.

Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith said the ten-year jail sentence was harsh and was thoroughly disappointed with the Hu's trial. He also said the Chinese government did not thoroughly explain the matter regarding the commercial secrets.

The Foreign Minister also expressed his disappointment that the he decision was reached in consistent with the Chinese law and argued that there was a consular agreement of both countries.

Julie Bishop, the opposition's foreign affairs spokeswoman, said that Chinese government must explain why the consular agreement was ignored, as this would pose a major concern to other nationals who are currently doing business within the country.

However, Chinese Foreign Prime Minister Qin Gang lambasted Australia's criticisms on Stern Hu's verdict and branded it as "irresponsible."

"The Australian side should respect that result and stop making such irresponsible remarks," Mr Qin told reporters.

Hu, together with Liu Caikui, Wang Yong, and Ge Minqiang, were sentenced from seven to 14 years for receiving more than $14.18 million during the iron ore talks from Chinese steel firms in 2009 and stealing commercial secrets. The court, however, reduced their combined sentence for 10 years.