Rio Tinto said yesterday Stern Hu, the Anglo-Australian mining group executive detained in China, had appeared well when visited for a second time by Australian consular officials but the miner added it remained concerned about the health and welfare of its three other employees, all Chinese, who are also held.
The four have been held since July 5 for allegedly stealing state secrets but Chinese authorities have provided little detail on their investigation and no charges have been laid.
The detentions have heightened tensions between Canberra and Beijing and come amid fractious talks between the Chinese steel association and Australian mining groups to set an annual benchmark price for iron ore.