China bars US global financial firm official from leaving country over alleged 'involvement in criminal case'

By Anadolu staff

ISTANBUL (AA) — China has barred an official of an American financial firm from leaving the country due to his involvement in a "criminal case," a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Monday.

Mao Chenyue, a banker at Wells Fargo, an American multinational financial services company, is “currently being handled by Chinese law-enforcement authorities and is subjected to exit restrictions in accordance with the law,” the spokesperson added.

"Pursuant to Chinese laws, with the case still under investigation, Ms. Mao cannot leave the country for the time being and has an obligation to cooperate with the investigation," the spokesperson said while replying to a question at a news briefing in Beijing.

"We will protect Ms. Mao’s lawful rights and interests during the investigation in accordance with the law," the spokesperson said, stressing that it is an "individual judicial case."

Beijing said it will, as always, welcome people from all countries to travel and do business in China and "ensure their rights and interests in accordance with the law."