Three Americans who had been detained in China for years have been released in a prisoner swap between Washington and Beijing. The US National Security Council spokesperson confirmed the release of Mark Swidan, Kai Li, and John Leung from detention in the People’s Republic of China. The Americans were exchanged for unidentified Chinese nationals and are now in US custody.
Politico first reported the release of the Americans, highlighting the efforts and diplomacy of the current Administration in securing their return. Both Li and Swidan had been designated as wrongfully detained by the US State Department.
Swidan, who was detained in 2012 on drug-related charges, spent over a decade in detention facing physical and psychological torture. His mother revealed that he had attempted suicide during his time in captivity and was sentenced to death in 2019. Li, on the other hand, has been detained since 2016 on espionage charges and is currently serving a ten-year prison sentence.
Leung, who was detained in 2021 and sentenced to life in prison in 2023 on spying charges, is a veteran leader of pro-Beijing groups in the United States. He has had close interactions with senior Chinese government officials over the years.
The release of these Americans marks a significant development in US-China relations and underscores the importance of diplomatic efforts in resolving such cases. The families of Swidan, Li, and Leung are eagerly awaiting their return and reunion after years of separation.
