Anglo-American mining giant Rio Tinto on Friday appointed a managing director for its China operations, seven months after four of its staff were detained in the country for alleged industrial espionage.
Rio Tinto said in a statement that Ian Bauert would take the new position, focused solely on China, with immediate effect to lead the company's 160-strong team of employees in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.
It said Bauert speaks fluent Mandarin and established the company's first office in China more than 25 years ago.
Tom Albanese, Rio Tinto chief executive officer, said the new role "underlines the importance the company places on enhancing its relationship with China.
"I am deeply committed to developing our relationship with China. Ian's experience and leadership will provide strategic direction and help guide all aspects of our engagement with China, one of our most important partners."
Last month, the Australian authorities said that China had concluded a commercial espionage investigation into Stern Hu, an executive with Rio Tinto, but had yet to determine whether he would face trial.
Australian passport-holder Hu was arrested in Shanghai in July with three Chinese colleagues and initially accused of stealing state secrets.
The charges were later reduced to industrial espionage, focusing on alleged bribery during high-stakes iron ore contract talks.
Hu's detention roiled Australia's ties with China, one of its most important trading partners and a key driver of its economy given its huge demand for Australian raw materials.
Rio Tinto has said it does not believe its employees have done anything wrong.
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