The White House announced on Wednesday that three Americans held in China have been freed as part of a prisoner exchange.
According to a source familiar with the matter speaking to Politico, this outcome is the culmination of “years of effort” and alleviates a situation that has weighed heavily on U.S.-China relations for an extended period. A spokesperson from the U.S. National Security Council informed CNN, “We are happy to confirm the release of Mark Swidan, Kai Li, and John Leung from detention in the People’s Republic of China. They will soon be returning home to reunite with their families for the first time in many years.”
Mark Swidan was apprehended in 2012 on drug charges and was sentenced to death in 2019. Kai Li and John Leung faced espionage accusations; Li was detained in 2016 and received a 10-year prison sentence, while Leung was captured in 2021 and subsequently sentenced to life in 2023.
This release is perceived as a significant achievement for Joe Biden during the closing months of his presidency. Currently, there are no American detainees in China, and the U.S. has adjusted its travel advisory for mainland China to Level 2: Exercise increased caution.
The White House did not disclose the names of the Chinese individuals involved in the exchange.
