Three Americans Freed in US-China Prisoner Swap

In a diplomatic success for the Biden administration, three Americans, Mark Swidan, Kai Li, and John Leung, have been released from Chinese detention and are returning to the U.S. after years of what Washington considered wrongful detention. Their release, confirmed by U.S. officials, comes as part of a prisoner swap with China, although the identities of the exchanged Chinese nationals remain undisclosed. Swidan had been detained since 2012 on drug charges, Li since 2016 on espionage charges, and Leung since 2021 also on espionage charges. This agreement marks the culmination of sustained diplomatic efforts, including discussions between U.S. and Chinese officials in recent years. The release has been lauded as a significant achievement, ensuring that all Americans deemed wrongfully detained in China have now returned home. The Biden administration has maintained firm yet steady relations with China, even as tensions over various geopolitical issues persist.