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Australia: China says Rio employee treated well

Thu Jul 9, 2009 10:14pm EDT

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PERTH, July 10 (Reuters) - China has given assurances that Stern Hu, the Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO.AX)(RIO.L) employee being detained on suspicion of stealing state secrets, has been treated well, Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said at a media conference on Friday.

Smith added that Australia would conduct a consular visit with Hu, the one Australian citizen being held, and would report back either later on Friday or Saturday.

Chinese authorities on Sunday arrested four Rio Tinto employees, including Hu who is the group's top iron ore salesman in China, alleging they were involved in stealing state secrets. The affair has cast a shadow over Australia-China relations. (Reporting by Fayen Wong)



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