REFILE-Fortescue says detentions not affecting China relations

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SYDNEY, July 13 (Reuters) - Australian iron ore miner Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (FMG.AX) said on Monday that the detention of Rio Tinto (RIO.L) (RIO.AX) employees in China was not affecting its own relations with Chinese steel mills.

Fortescue senior market executive Russell Scrimshaw, based in China, also told a teleconference iron ore shipments remained solid despite a impasse over prices and June volumes had been very encouraging.

He said the order book was looking solid in the near-term.