As investigations into the alleged Rio Tinto bribery scandal continue, many executives and officials within China's steel and other industries will be feeling hot under the collar.

With many more expected to be implicated, experts say the arrests of four Shanghai-based employees of the multinational mining giant - including Australian citizen executive Stern Hu - on charges of stealing commercial secrets have highlighted a common business practice that is spinning out of control.

A lack of systematic supervision has been blamed for a "bribe culture" that has flourished in China's rapidly developing economy, while the heads of many State-owned enterprises (SOEs), which still dominate the most profitable sectors, are believed to be its biggest champions.