On July 9, the Shanghai State Security Bureau and China's Foreign Ministry both publicly confirmed the news that four Chinese employees of Australia's Rio Tinto had been detained in Shanghai on suspicion of "espionage." The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that such actions have damaged China's economic interests and security. On the same day, a source close to Baosteel informed that some executives of Baosteel had been "requested" by the Shanghai police to assist in the investigation of the Rio Tinto case. It was also learned that people from several listed companies, including Jinan Iron and Steel and Laiwu Iron and Steel Group, were also involved in this case.