Three American citizens who had been detained in China have been released, according to a State Department spokesperson. The individuals include Mark Swidan, Kai Li and John Leung. Li, 70, was from Long Island, New York, and had been detained in 2016 on espionage charges. Swidan, a Texas businessman, had been detained since 2012 and sentenced to death with a reprieve in 2019 on drug-related charges. Leung, who is in his 70s and has permanent residency in Hong Kong, was sentenced to life in prison in 2021 for espionage.
The State Department spokesperson mentioned that the three individuals would soon be reunited with their families after many years of separation. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed relief over Li’s release and praised the efforts made to secure his return home to New York. The families of the three released Americans have expressed gratitude and joy, especially with the news coming just before Thanksgiving.
In addition, the release of these individuals follows the surprising release in September of American pastor David Lin, who had also been wrongfully detained in China since 2006. The issue of Americans detained in China has been raised by the Biden administration in meetings with Chinese officials, including discussions between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Peru.
The slow progress in securing the release of American detainees in China has been a source of frustration for their families. Despite major prisoner exchanges negotiated with other countries, the families of those still detained are hoping for a quicker resolution to their cases. Many families have not publicly shared their stories out of fear that it could hinder efforts to bring their loved ones home.
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