Beijing on Monday backed Hong Kong's permission for Snowden's departure.
"Hong Kong is a society with rule of law. The central government always respects the local special administrative region government to follow the Basic Law and the principle of 'One Country, Two Systems'," Hua Chunying, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, said during a regular news conference.
Meanwhile, a Russian official said on Monday that Washington has no right to demand Moscow arrest and extradite Snowden.
"The Americans can't demand anything. We can extradite him, or we can refuse to do that," Russian human rights ombudsman Vladimir Lukin told the Interfax news agency.
Snowden had been in hiding for several weeks in Hong Kong. The United States formally sought his extradition from Hong Kong to face espionage charges but was rebuffed. Hong Kong officials said the US request did not fully comply with their laws.
Washington was in touch through diplomatic and law enforcement channels with countries that he could travel through or to, reminding them that Snowden is wanted on criminal charges, and reiterating Washington's position that he should only be permitted to travel back to the US, a State Department official said.
Still, the United States is likely to have problems interrupting Snowden's passage. It does not have an extradition treaty with Russia, but does with Cuba, Venezuela and Ecuador. Even with an extradition agreement though, any country could give Snowden a political exemption.
【Snowden not on board flight to Cuba】相关文章:
★ The understatement central to British tourist attractions
★ Bin Laden's compound demolished
★ Pentagon's tone softens on Chinese military growth
★ Internet savvy voters targeted on social media
★ Chinese go online to buy latest iPhone
★ Storms wreak havoc in Midwest US, killing at least 12
★ Nepal pensioner claims to be shortest man
★ Astronaut heroes are homeward bound
★ Pakistan condemns leak on Taliban aid
★ Mayor vows action after killings of Chinese
最新
2020-08-21
2020-08-20
2020-08-19
2020-08-06
2020-08-05
2020-08-05