Three American citizens who had been detained in China for years were released, a State Department spokesperson confirmed. The individuals are Mark Swidan, Kai Li, and John Leung. Li, a 70-year-old from Long Island, New York, was held since 2016 on espionage charges that his family says are unfounded. Swidan, a Texas businessman, had been detained since 2012 and was sentenced to death with a reprieve in 2019 on drug-related charges that were deemed baseless by a UN group. Leung, in his 70s with permanent residency in Hong Kong, was sentenced to life in prison in 2021 for espionage.
The State Department expressed relief at the impending reunions of these individuals with their families. Senator Chuck Schumer worked to secure Li’s release, emphasizing the importance of continuous advocacy.
The families expressed gratitude for the unexpected news, coinciding with the Thanksgiving season. This follows the release of American pastor David Lin in September. The Biden administration had been addressing the issue of Americans detained in China with Chinese officials, including during discussions between Biden and Xi Jinping. There are approximately 200 American detainees in China, although only a few are classified as wrongfully held.
While progress had been slow, efforts to secure the release of these individuals were successful. Li’s son, Harrison Li, had been tirelessly advocating for his father’s return, expressing relief at the news. Other families with loved ones detained in China are still waiting for their return. The families have been urging the Biden administration to prioritize the release of American detainees in China.
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