A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a press release issued Friday that Chen Guangcheng, a Chinese citizen, may apply to study abroad according to laws with relevant departments and through the same channels as other Chinese citizens.

Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin made the remarks in response to a question about media reports that Chen hopes to study abroad.

Liu said Chen, a native of Yinan county in eastern China's Shandong province, is currently receiving treatment at hospital.

The spokesman said Wednesday that China demands an apology from the United States for taking Chen "via abnormal means" into the U.S. Embassy in Beijing.