Three Americans wrongfully detained in China released in rare swap

The White House announced Wednesday that three Americans who had been imprisoned in China for years are now free. The release follows a rare prisoner swap agreement between the United States and China, made during the final months of the Biden administration.

The three Americans—Mark Swidan, Kai Li, and John Leung—had been detained by Chinese authorities on charges that the U.S. government considered unjust. Swidan was facing a death sentence on drug-related charges, while Li and Leung were accused of espionage. All three had been recognized by the U.S. as wrongfully detained.

The White House confirmed that the three Americans would soon be reunited with their families after years of separation. "Soon they will return and be reunited with their families for the first time in many years," said a statement from the administration.

This release comes just two months after the release of another American, David Lin, a pastor from California. Lin had spent nearly 20 years behind bars in China, convicted of contract fraud.

A Long-Standing Issue in U.S.-China Relations

The release of these three Americans is seen as a positive step in the often tense relationship between the U.S. and China. Relations between the two countries have been strained for years, especially over issues like trade, human rights, and military concerns. There have also been disagreements over China’s support for Russia’s actions in Ukraine and its growing military presence near Taiwan.

The release of Americans detained in China has been a key topic in many talks between U.S. and Chinese leaders. The Biden administration had raised the issue in multiple discussions over the years, including a recent meeting between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping in November.

This diplomatic breakthrough is also seen as a way for China to engage with the outgoing U.S. administration before the new president takes office in January. President-elect Donald Trump has made it clear that he plans to continue tough policies toward China in his second term. This has raised concerns about the possibility of an intensified trade war and even military tensions.

Details of the Americans' Detention

Mark Swidan, a Texas native, was detained in China in 2012 while on a business trip. He was accused of drug charges, though his family and supporters insist he was innocent. During his time in detention, Swidan faced harsh conditions, including deprivation of sleep and food, and lost more than 100 pounds. His supporters argue that the charges against him were politically motivated.

Kai Li, a Chinese immigrant who had started an export business in the U.S., was arrested in 2016 when he arrived in Shanghai. Li was accused of giving state secrets to the FBI, a claim his family says was false. The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention called his ten-year prison sentence “arbitrary,” and his family believes the charges were politically driven.

John Leung, a former businessman, was arrested in 2021 in China’s Suzhou city. He was accused of spying and sentenced to life in prison. Leung had been in China when the country imposed strict border controls to fight the spread of COVID-19. His case raised concerns over China's treatment of foreign nationals and accusations of unfair trials.

A Diplomatic Win Amid Ongoing Tensions

While the White House did not immediately confirm if any Chinese nationals were released from U.S. custody in exchange, sources close to the matter say that a prisoner swap took place. This marks a rare moment of cooperation between the U.S. and China in recent years.

A U.S. official stated that the Biden administration had raised the cases of these Americans repeatedly with Chinese officials. These talks included discussions earlier this month when Biden and Xi met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Peru.

The return of these Americans is a rare piece of good news in the broader context of U.S.-China relations. It shows that, despite their differences, both countries are capable of negotiating and finding common ground on important issues, especially when it comes to the well-being of their citizens abroad.