Mining giant Rio Tinto said in a press release that four of its employees, held in China on suspicions of bribery and industrial espionage, will face a three-day trial in the Shanghai Number One Intermediate Court, starting March 22.

The bribery charges will be heard in open court, while the industrial espionage allegations will be heard in camera, said the statement.

A Guardian report added that the four's trial is expected to increase tension between Beijing and the West. The Australian government in particular was irked by the arrest of Rio's staff, which includes Canberra national Stern Hu.

The four are accused of using improper means to obtain commercial secrets from the country's steel industry, and using that information as a bargaining chip to drive up the price that China pays for its iron ore imports.

The report noted that almost all criminal cases that go to trial in China end in conviction. According to the Chinese Criminal Code, industrial espionage offenses carry a seven-year prison sentence.

Rio has denied any wrongdoing by its employees. The mining giant reiterated its hope for a fair, transparent and expeditious process for its employees.