The detention of Ai Weiwei is not related to human rights and freedom of speech, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman said Thursday.

The incident is being handled in accordance with the law, Hong Lei said at a press conference.

"China is a country that upholds the principle of law, and the country will act in accordance with the law," Hong said.

"I hope other countries can respect the decision of China. The incident has nothing to do with human rights or freedom of speech."

Public security authorities are investigating Ai for suspected economic crimes, he said.

Hong's remarks were the first official comment since Ai was reportedly seized by Beijing airport police and taken away from Beijing Capital International Airport on Sunday

Gao Ge, Ai's elder sister, told the Global Times Thursday that the family has not received oral or written notice from the police authorities.

"We plan to go to a police station in Beijing's Dongcheng district tomorrow (Friday) to report Ai's missing," she said.

Observers said more details will be released as the investigation goes on and the case must be dealt with through legal ways instead of being used as a tool to attack China's human rights records or legal system.

Global Times