Rio arrests: 'No evidence'

Johannesburg - Resources giant Rio Tinto on Tuesday said it was "still not aware of any evidence" that would support the detention of its employees in China.

China is currently detaining four of Rio Tinto's Shanghai employees, including Australian Stern Hu, on charges they were involved in spying on the country's steel industry and stealing state secrets.

The Financial Mail reported at the weekend that China has accused Rio Tinto of spying on its steel industry for six years, costing the country $102bn in excessive charges for iron ore and highlighting the need for Beijing to overhaul the way it deals with state secrets so that it can better fend off any systemic threat to its economic security.

But Rio Tinto insists that it is "committed to high standards in business integrity and takes its ethical responsibilities very seriously".

Rio Tinto chief executive iron ore Sam Walsh confirmed a second visit to detained Rio Tinto employee, Stern Hu, by Australian Consular officials.

"We are pleased to hear that Stern appeared well and that he raised no welfare or medical concerns," said Walsh.

Walsh said the company remained surprised and concerned over the detention of its four employees, and said the company had still not been informed of any charges against them.

"We continue to be concerned for the health and welfare of our three other employees detained at the same time as Stern Hu," he said.

- I-Net Bridge