Updated

The editor of a Hong Kong newspaper that published an interview with the former CIA employee who leaked top-secret information about U.S. surveillance programs says the man remains in the Chinese autonomous region.

South China Morning Post News Editor Chow Chung Yan said Thursday that Edward Snowden appeared to be reaching out to the public with the interview.

There had been no word on the 29-year-old American's whereabouts since he checked out of his Hong Kong hotel on Monday.

Chow declined to give details about the interview other than to say it took place Wednesday at a secure location.

Snowden said in the interview that he wished to stay in Hong Kong as long as he was welcome and said he had evidence of U.S. government hacking in the territory.