BEIJING, July 21 (Reuters) - China's foreign ministry

said on Monday that Chenyue Mao, the Wells Fargo ( WFC ) banker

who has been blocked from leaving the country, was involved in a

criminal case and obliged to cooperate with the investigation.

Chinese law enforcement authorities have restricted Mao's

exit in accordance with law, and China will protect her

legitimate rights and interests, Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for

the ministry, told a regular press briefing.

Guo did not elaborate on the criminal case.

(Reporting by Liz Lee; writing by Beijing Newsroom; Editing by

Muralikumar Anantharaman)