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Rio Tinto executive Stern Hu in an undated photo - Source: Reuters -
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Detained Rio Tinto executive Stern Hu could find out on Monday if he will face a Chinese court on espionage charges.
However, the federal government says there may be further delays in the case against the Australian citizen.
Hu, the Shanghai-based head of Rio's iron ore operations in China, was detained by the Chinese government on July 5 along with three Chinese colleagues on suspicion of stealing state secrets.
"Today is an important date because it's a deadline in terms of whether further time will be sought for investigations or in fact charges will be laid," Acting Foreign Minister Simon Crean told the ABC.
"There is the potential for a further extension."
The Australian government has been urging a speedy resolution of the case against Hu since his arrest amid high-level iron ore price negotiations between Rio and Chinese steel mills.
Crean is confident China will adhere to its legal obligations.
"We have urged transparency, we have urged expedition ... we also argue appropriate process of law and we will continue to monitor that."
