SYDNEY (AP) -- Officials of Rio Tinto Ltd. have expressed their concern for four employees arrested in China but said they respect the nation's legal process.
Chairman Jan du Plessis and CEO Tom Albanese spoke to reporters Thursday while announcing company earnings.
"I am naturally personally concerned about them, but I want to stress that we will respect the Chinese legal process," du Plessis said.
China has arrested four Rio Tinto employees -- one Australian and three Chinese -- for infringing trade secrets and bribery.
"Our first priority is our duty of care to them and their families and we don't want to say anything, or do anything that could negatively affect them," Albanese said. "We are pleased they have been treated well ... and their families have legal teams in place."
