CNBC Speaks to Starnes as He Arrives Home 10:01 AM ET Fri, 28 June 2013

Forty-two-year-old American businessman Chip Starnes arrived at Newark International Airport in New Jersey, on Thursday evening, ending seven days of captivity in a Chinese factory. CNBC met him at the airport for an exclusive interview.

"There is a dirty underside to doing business in China, there's no doubt about that and I don't think that's a secret either," Starnes said at the airport but added that, "going back to China is a must. We've got millions of dollars in equipment there, large investments there, we've got to see it through."



(Watch Now: CNBC Speaks Live to CEO Chip Starnes in China)



Starnes, president of Florida-based Specialty Medical Supplies, was released after a pay dispute was settled with workers at the company's plant in the Beijing suburb of Huairou where he was held captive.

Starnes described the last night of negotiations as chaotic.

"The way it went about was just as chaotic as it was the first night last Friday [June 21] . Hundreds of people - family and friends- people smoking everywhere, I don't know what's going on, I'm just saying okay, whatever."

After settling the dispute, local officials placed Starnes in a car to head back to his hotel. Starnes later told CNBC that he switched cars and headed for the airport, accompanied by his lawyers.



Chu Lixian, head of the rights and interests department of the Huairou District Labor Union confirmed that the dispute had been resolved, Reuters reported.

(Read Now: US Boss Held by Workers Says China 'Wild West')