Fighting talk, at last, from Rio Tinto. Sam Walsh, chief executive of the iron ore division, has described reports of bribery by employees as “wholly without foundation”. Almost a fortnight after its head of iron ore in China was detained, along with three colleagues, it was high time for a tougher line from the miner.

Kevin Rudd, Australian prime minister, had been landing all the punches; it is wise for him to take a step back, following Beijing’s warning to Canberra to keep out of its affairs.