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{{mergeto|Edward Snowden|date=June 2013}} #REDIRECT ]
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{{Current|date=June 2013}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2013}}
{{Infobox historical event
| Event_Name = <div style="padding-bottom:5px;"></div><small>Edward Snowden's Refuge Sought<br>in Hong Kong
| Image_Name =
| Image_Alt =
| Image_Caption =
| Participants = ]&nbsp;<br>] <center><small>(potential) &nbsp;</small></center>]<center><small>(potential) &nbsp;</small></center>
| Location = Hong Kong
| Date ={{Start date and years ago|mf=yes|2013|05|20}}
| URL =
}}
On May 20, 2013, the former American government employee ], best known for disclosing several ] documents to the media, arrived in the ] of Hong Kong due to his fears of ] from the ]. Snowden revealed that his intention is to "ask the courts and people of Hong Kong to decide my fate."<ref name="swnoden">{{cite web|title=EXCLUSIVE: Whistleblower Edward Snowden talks to South China Morning Post|url=http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1259335/exclusive-whistleblower-edward-snowden-talks-south-china-morning-post|publisher='']''|accessdate=June 12, 2013|quote=He vowed to fight any extradition attempt by the US government, saying: “My intention is to ask the courts and people of Hong Kong to decide my fate. I have been given no reason to doubt your system.’’}}</ref>

== Background ==
===Basic Law of Hong Kong===
{{main|Judiciary of Hong Kong}}
According to Article 27 of the ], all permanent and temporary residents of the ] shall have:

* ]<ref name="basic law">{{cite web|title=Chapter III : Fundamental Rights and Duties of the Residents|url=http://www.basiclaw.gov.hk/en/basiclawtext/chapter_3.html|publisher=]|accessdate=June 12, 2013}}</ref>
* ]<ref name="basic law"/>
* ]<ref name="basic law"/>
* The right to institute ]s against the acts of ] (Article 35)<ref name="basic law"/>

Hong Kong's ] claims that a prominent feature of its Basic Law is the underlying principle of "]", whereby China's "socialist system and policies" shall not be implemented.<ref name="courtshk">{{cite web|title=Legal System in Hong Kong|url=http://www.doj.gov.hk/eng/legal/|publisher=]|accessdate=June 12, 2013}}</ref> Under the Basic Law, courts in Hong Kong exercise "independent" judicial power and have the power of final ]. (Last revision: January 1, 2013)<ref name="courtshk"/>

Due to its status as a former British colony, the ] is modelled after the ] with indictable offences taken up by the ] after being transferred from the ]. Other notable courts include the ] (which includes the ] and the ]), and the ].

=== U.S.–Hong Kong extradition treaty ===
Under the ], both parties are formally obligated to surrender persons found within the jurisdiction of the requested party who are wanted by the requesting party for prosecution or enforcement of a sentence, or for offenses described in Article 2 of the Agreement.<ref>{{cite web|title=U.S.-HONG KONG EXTRADITION TREATY|url=http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CRPT-105erpt2/html/CRPT-105erpt2.htm|publisher=]|accessdate=June 12, 2013}}</ref> However, Article 6 of the treaty and Section 5 of the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance states the extradition may be blocked for persons if it appears that the offence they are alleged to have committed is has a political character, irrespective of how it is described.<ref>Moy, Patsy; Ng, Joyce (June 13, 2013) "Legal opinion divided on prospects for extradition." ''South China Morning Post''</ref>

In addition, in case Snowden chooses to challenge any extradition request and apply for political asylum, he could remain in Hong Kong for years, according to Hong Kong lawyers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Edward Snowden could remain in Hong Kong for years, legal experts say|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/12/edward-snowden-hong-kong-years|publisher='']''|accessdate=June 12, 2013}}</ref>

== Timeline ==
=== Snowden's previous stay in Asia ===
While working as a private contractor at a U.S. military base in Japan, Snowden travelled to Hong Kong for a holiday with his girlfriend.<ref>{{cite web|title=Edward Snowden's girlfriend Lindsay Mills 'lost and alone' after whistleblower flees to Hong Kong|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/10112012/Edward-Snowdens-girlfriend-Lindsay-Mills-lost-and-alone-after-whistleblower-flees-to-Hong-Kong.html|publisher='']''|accessdate=June 12, 2013}}</ref>

=== Snowden's depature and media disclosure ===
] in ], where Snowden stayed for three weeks and released several ] documents to '']'' and '']'']]
In early May 2013, Snowden was permitted temporary leave from his position at the NSA in Hawaii, on the pretext of receiving treatment for his ].<ref name="guardian-reveal">{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/09/edward-snowden-nsa-whistleblower-surveillance|title=Edward Snowden: the whistleblower behind the NSA surveillance revelations|last=Greenwald|first=Glenn|last2=MacAskill|first2=Ewen|last3=Poitras|first3=Laura|date=June 9, 2013|work=]|accessdate=June 9, 2013|location=Hong Kong|publication-place=London}}</ref> According to local real estate agents, Snowden and his girlfriend moved out of their home on May 1, leaving nothing behind.<ref name="BBC Profile">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22837100| title= Profile: Edward Snowden|date=June 10, 2013|publisher=]|accessdate=June 10, 2013}}</ref>

On May 20, Edward Snowden arrived in Hong Kong and checked into a luxury hotel, ].<ref name="cnn-hotel">{{cite news |last=Mullen |first=Jethro |last2=Smith |first2=Matt |last3=Walker |first3=Brian |last4=Tsui |first4=Anjali |coauthors=Labott, Elise; Cratty, Carol |title=NSA leaker holed up in Hong Kong hotel, running low on cash |publisher=CNN |date=June 10, 2013 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2013/06/10/politics/nsa-leak/index.html |accessdate=June 10, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22842837 | title =US leaker Edward Snowden 'defending liberty' | publisher =BBC News | date =June 10, 2013}}</ref> Four days after the revelations broke in the media, Snowden checked out.<ref name="cnn-hotel"/><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/hong-kong-hotel-says-edward-snowden-was-there-but-checked-out-monday/2013/06/10/44baa0fa-d1af-11e2-a73e-826d299ff459_story.html |title=Edward Snowden faces strong extradition treaty if he remains in Hong Kong |last=Yang |first=Jia Lynn |date=June 10, 2013 |work=] |accessdate=June 10, 2013}}</ref>

Two days later, Snowden gave an exclusive interview with the '']'' where he vowed to stay in the city<ref>{{cite web|title=Edward Snowden: US government has been hacking Hong Kong and China for years|url=http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1259508/edward-snowden-us-government-has-been-hacking-hong-kong-and-china|date=June 13, 2013|work=South China Morning Post}}</ref> and "fight any extradition attempt by the US government", saying:<ref>{{cite web|title=EXCLUSIVE: Whistleblower Edward Snowden talks to South China Morning Post|url=http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1259335/exclusive-whistleblower-edward-snowden-talks-south-china-morning-post|publisher='']''|accessdate=June 12, 2013}}</ref>

{{centered pull quote|'''I am not here to hide from justice; I am here to reveal criminality. My intention is to ask the courts and people of Hong Kong to decide my fate.'''|author=] in an interview with the '']''<ref name="swnoden"/>}}

=== Public reaction in Hong Kong ===
], which according to ] is among "hundreds of targets" in Hong Kong and ] that have been hacked by the ]<ref name="hack"/>]]
Shortly after Snowden's disclosure, the ] was abuzz with speculation about his future in the territory. A public rally was organized by several non-governmental organizations and human rights groups to support Snowden. The rally is expected to be attended by lawmakers and pro-democracy politicians such as ], ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Hong Kongers to protest in support of US whistleblower|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/hong-kongers-to-protest/708222.html|publisher=]|accessdate=June 12, 2013}}</ref>

On June 13, Snowden carried out an interview with the '']'' from a "secret location" in Hong Kong, where he claimed that the ] has been hacking computers in Hong Kong and ] since 2009. According to Snowden, there are currently more than 61,000 NSA hacking operations globally, with "hundreds of targets" in Hong Kong and the rest of Mainland China alone.<ref name="hack">{{cite web|title=Edward Snowden: US government has been hacking Hong Kong and China for years|url=http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1259508/edward-snowden-us-government-has-been-hacking-hong-kong-and-china|publisher='']''|accessdate=June 12, 2013}}</ref>

== Official positions of territories involved ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Territory
! Stance
! As of
|-
| {{Flagu|Hong Kong}}
| Chief Executive of Hong Kong ] declined to comment
| June 12, 2013<ref>{{cite web|title=Hong Kong Leader Repeatedly Says 'No Comment' When Asked About Edward Snowden's Fate|url=http://www.sfgate.com/technology/businessinsider/article/Hong-Kong-Leader-Repeatedly-Says-No-Comment-4596215.php|publisher='']''|accessdate=June 12, 2013}}</ref>
|-
|{{Flagu|People's Republic of China}}
| China has not made an official comment
|June 12, 2013<ref>{{cite web|title=Hong Kong legal battle looms for NSA contractor|url=http://www.euronews.com/newswires/1987116-hong-kong-legal-battle-looms-for-nsa-contractor/|publisher=]|accessdate=June 12, 2013}}</ref>
|-
|{{Flagu|United States}}
| ] spokesman ] said that Snowden is currently being investigated but declined to comment further
|June 10, 2013<ref>{{cite web|title=Carney declines to comment on Snowden, defends U.S. surveillance policy|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/06/10/carney-declines-to-comment-on-snowden-defends-wh-surveillance-policy/|publisher='']''|accessdate=June 12, 2013}}</ref>
|}

== Impact==
=== War of words ===
Snowden's residency in Hong Kong has triggered a war of words between the ] of China and the United States:

* ''']''': The state-owned<ref name=cy>Chinoy, M. ''China Live: People Power and the Television Revolution.'' Rowman & Littlefield, 1999. ISBN 978-0-8476-9318-4.</ref> newspaper quoted an analyst who said that although ] has been accusing China of ], the "biggest threat" to the pursuit of individual freedom and privacy is the "unbridled power" of the ] itself.<ref>{{cite web|title=Surveillance program a test of Sino-US ties|url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2013-06/13/content_16612453.htm|publisher='']''|accessdate=June 13, 2013|quote="For months, Washington has been accusing China of cyberespionage, but it turns out that the biggest threat to the pursuit of individual freedom and privacy in the US is the unbridled power of the government,"Li said.}}</ref>

* ''']''': The U.S. government's official broadcaster defended these accusations by countering that ] is trying to "use Snowden's revelations" of the U.S. surveillance programs to "defend its own massive cyber security operations."<ref>{{cite web|title=Chinese Media Focus on Snowden Leaks, US Spy Programs|url=http://www.voanews.com/content/chinese-media-focus-on-snowden-leaks-us-spy-programs/1680791.html|publisher=]|accessdate=June 13, 2013|quote=Until now, Chinese officials and newspapers on the mainland had stayed relatively quiet on the issue. But its increased prominence Thursday suggests Beijing is willing to use Snowden's revelations of the U.S. surveillance programs to defend its own massive cyber security operations.}}</ref>

=== Sino-American bilateral relations ===
Several ] have asserted that Snowden's residency in Hong Kong could damage ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Edward Snowden case could strain United States, China relations|url=http://www.wjla.com/articles/2013/06/edward-snowden-case-could-strain-united-states-china-relations-89906.html|publisher=]|accessdate=June 12, 2013}}</ref>

== See also ==
*]

== References ==
<references/>

{{Portal bar|2010s|Hong Kong|International relations|United States}}

]

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