China has released three “unjustly detained” American citizens, US officials announced on Wednesday, weeks before the end of outgoing President Joe Biden’s administration and the return of Donald Trump.
Mark Swidan, Kai Li and John Leung were released in an exchange for Chinese nationals detained in the United States, who have not been identified, according to these officials.
“They will return soon and be reunited with family for the first time in several years,” said a State Department official on the eve of the Thanksgiving holiday, a very important long holiday weekend in the United States.
“Thanks to the efforts of this administration, all Americans unjustly detained in China will have returned home,” he said.
A close source said the three Americans were released as part of an exchange with Beijing regarding three Chinese nationals imprisoned in the United States.
Mark Swidan has been detained since 2012 after being arrested during a business trip on drug possession charges. His family and supporters insist there was never any evidence, arguing that his driver and interpreter falsely accused him.
In September, an American pastor detained in China since 2006 was released. David Lin had been sentenced to life, accused of fraud according to the American media, but Washington considered the conviction unfounded.
Furthermore, Kai Li is a businessman accused of espionage in 2016.
Outgoing President Joe Biden raised the case of these prisoners during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping last month on the sidelines of an Apec summit in Lima.
