Chinese workers have been holding the US chief executive of their company hostage since Friday - in a dispute linked to wages.

Around 100 employees from Specialty Medical Supplies claim they have not been paid for two months and are demanding back pay and severance packages.

But speaking out of his office window, Chip Starnes, 42, denied they were owed unpaid wages.

"They are demanding full severance pay, but they still have a job. That's the problem," he added.

China's Foreign Ministry said that officials had no information about the case. Mr Starnes' lawyer is due at the plant to continue talks.