FM spokeswoman says "have read reports" on Snowden

BEIJING, June 23 (Xinhua) -- A Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said Sunday that the Chinese side will continue to follow up on relevant development after former U.S. National Security Agency employee Edward Snowden left Hong Kong.

"We have read reports but got no details. We will continue to follow up on relevant development," said spokeswoman Hua Chunying, in response to a journalist's question.

According to media reports, Snowden has already departed Hong Kong by air to Russia. The government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has issued a statement.

Hua said that Hong Kong SAR is a society ruled by law. "In line with the Basic Law of Hong Kong SAR and the principle of 'one country, two systems,' the central government has always respected the Hong Kong SAR government in handling issues in accordance with the law," she said.

The Hong Kong SAR government said in a statement earlier Sunday that "Snowden has left Hong Kong through legal and normal means for a third country."

"The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government has informed the U.S. government of Snowden's departure from Hong Kong," the statement said.

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