Hong Kong ( CNN ) -- Chinese Internet users have come out in strong support of American data leaker Edward Snowden , with many calling on Hong Kong to refuse handing him over to the United States should an extradition request be made . The former intelligence contractor 's presence in Hong Kong , having fled his life in Hawaii in order to leak details of the National Security Agency 's Prism surveillance program , has been a hot topic on Chinese micro-blogging site Sina Weibo . Snowden 's name was one of the top-ranked current affairs topics on the site , as Internet users discussed the revelations . Users were typically supportive of the 29-year old , who is believed to still be in Hong Kong after having checked out of his hotel Monday , with many commending his courage in exposing the secret surveillance program . `` He is brave . He is a real fighter for human rights . Now he is in China , we should protect him , '' wrote Beijing-based user Xiaodong Wang , a view echoed by a user named Sunflower , from Suzhou . `` Beijing should support Hong Kong to provide asylum for him . '' Another user , Blue Sky , extended the greeting : `` Welcome to China ! '' while Beijing-based Chow Kat described Snowden as a `` true hero . '' `` I wish him the best . The situation is very tricky , '' Chow Kat added . What 's next for Snowden ? Snowden 's actions in leaking classified national security information have placed him in a precarious situation in which all his `` options are bad , '' he told The Guardian , the British newspaper which broke the story . `` Yes , I could be rendered by the CIA . I could have people come after me . Or any of the third party partners . '' U.S. authorities have started a criminal investigation , but have not yet issued a request for Snowden 's extradition . Snowden said he had chosen Hong Kong as a refuge due to the former British colony 's record on the issue of free speech and commitment to the right of political dissent . But many observers believe Snowden has scant chance of avoiding U.S. authorities , citing an extradition treaty signed between the U.S. and Hong Kong in 1996 , shortly before the colony was handed back to Beijing . Who is Edward Snowden ? Many Sina Weibo users shared this pessimistic view of Snowden 's prospects . `` Snowden picked the wrong place to hide . He will surely be killed , '' wrote user Juren , from Zhongshan , a view echoed by Beijing-based Guoxiang Wang . `` The CIA will try to kill him no matter where he hides . '' A user with the handle Ponka wrote that `` China will definitely deport him , '' while Taipei-based Weimang Sun thundered against the notion : `` Whoever hands him over to the U.S. imperialists will be a traitor to the nation . '' Sunny Gemini , a user from Beijing , saw the scandal as highlighting the similarities between the U.S. and China , despite their different political systems . `` Any government ... is unreliable . They prefer to control everything , no matter whether a democratic or non-democratic regime . '' On the other hand , the user wrote , at least in a democracy `` the media has the right to write about it and help to improve the system , '' adding that similar revelations could never be made in China . Leak journalist says more surveillance revelations on the way . Beijing-based user Flying to the Stars said the disclosures about the secret surveillance program were unsurprising . `` The American TV drama 'Homeland ' has long suggested this is the truth . '' Xueqiao Ma and Alexis Lai contributed to this report .
Chinese Internet users have expressed support for American data leaker Edward Snowden . Micro-blog users have commended his bravery and called on China to protect him . Others said his prospects of escaping U.S. justice in Hong Kong were slim .