Think.
Why would @Snowden go public while in HK PRIOR to traveling to so called final destination?
These people are stupid.
Could it be that Snowden went public before his 'final destination' because he was already at his final destination? He never made it to Russia but is and has always been in China, who he works for? He was wanted in the US and wouldn't have been able to leave customs in China. China created the narrative that he left so he could spy for them. Perhaps information sharing with Russia so that they would pretend to receive him?