Wells Fargo bank official barred from exiting China

China confirmed on Monday that an executive of US bank Wells Fargo has been barred from leaving the country due to her links to a criminal case, saying the nation remains committed to protecting the legitimate interests of foreign expats in China.

Mao Chenyue, the Wells Fargo banker, is involved in a criminal case that China is handling, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a regular news conference.

"According to China's law, as the case is under investigation, Mao is not allowed to leave the country for now, and has an obligation to cooperate with the investigation," Guo said.