Anshan Iron and Steel Group Corp (Ansteel) is among five major Chinese steel makers reported to be embroiled in the espionage scandal linked to Anglo-Australian miner Rio Tinto, the latest episode in a widening investigation into alleged leaks of State secrets.

"Executives from Ansteel are being investigated (in the Rio Tinto-related case)", a senior manager at a domestic steel maker told China Daily yesterday, requesting anonymity.

Apart from managers at the Liaoning-based steel mill, executives from China's largest steel maker Baosteel Group Corp, as well as Laigang Group and Jigang Group, are under investigation, domestic media reported.