US secures release of three Americans wrongfully detained in China

Biden administration reached an agreement with Chinese government to secure the release of three Americans who the State Department determined were “unfairly detained.”

The three Americans released are Mark Swidan, who was held in China for more than 10 years on controversial drug charges; Kai Li, who has been detained since 2016 on controversial espionage charges; and John Leung, who was detained in 2021 and sentenced to life in prison on espionage charges in 2023.

“We are pleased to announce the release of Mark Swidan, Kai Li, and John Leung from detention in the People’s Republic of China,” a National Security Council spokesman said. Washington Comptroller. “They will return soon and be reunited with their families for the first time in many years. “Thanks to this Administration’s efforts and diplomacy with the PRC, all Americans wrongfully detained in the PRC are home.”

US secures release of three Americans wrongfully detained in China — Families and friends of current and former hostages and detainees gathered outside the White House in Washington on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, to ask for more help from the Biden administration. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

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The administration has brought up the three Americans repeatedly in its dealings with Chinese counterparts.

President Joe Biden discussed his cases with Chinese President Xi Jinping when they met in Peru on the sidelines of APEC sessions, national security adviser Jake Sullivan raised the issue during his visit to China in August, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken also raised them during his visit. He met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the United Nations General Assembly in September, according to a US official.

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