US Says China Has Released 3 “Wrongfully Detained” Americans

Wed Nov 27 17:19:15 UTC 2024: **US Secures Release of Three Wrongfully Detained Americans in Prisoner Swap with China**

WASHINGTON D.C. – The Biden administration announced Wednesday the release of three Americans wrongfully detained in China, marking a significant diplomatic achievement before the end of his term. Mark Swidan, Kai Li, and John Leung, who were the last US citizens classified by the State Department as wrongfully detained in China, have been freed in a prisoner exchange with Beijing. The swap involved three unnamed Chinese nationals held in US custody.

Swidan, detained since 2012 on drug charges his family disputes, endured harsh conditions in detention. Li, a naturalized American, was convicted of espionage in 2016, while Leung, a US citizen with Hong Kong residency, faced similar charges in 2021. Both Li and Leung maintain their innocence.

A State Department spokesperson confirmed the release, highlighting the administration’s diplomatic efforts in securing their return home in time for Thanksgiving. The spokesperson stated that all wrongfully detained Americans in China have now been released.

The release follows the September repatriation of another wrongfully detained American, Pastor David Lin, also part of a prisoner exchange. While the US has secured the release of more than 70 unjustly detained Americans globally under the Biden administration, the China exchanges have been conducted with less public fanfare than those involving Russia.

President Biden personally raised the cases of the three Americans with President Xi Jinping at the recent APEC summit. Analysts suggest that China’s willingness to cooperate in these swaps indicates a willingness to engage constructively with the US on certain issues. This engagement is contrasted against President-elect Trump’s stated intention to adopt a more confrontational stance toward China, including the immediate re-imposition of tariffs. Despite differing approaches, both administrations have identified China as a significant long-term adversary.

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