China has announced the release of three Americans who were said to be wrongfully detained. The White House confirmed this news, stating that Mark Swidan, Kai Li, and John Leung will soon return home to be reunited with their families after years apart.
Mark Swidan, a 38-year-old Texas resident, traveled to China in November 2012 for business related to construction. He was arrested when his driver and translator were allegedly found with drugs. However, a United Nations report found that Swidan was not in possession of any drugs and was not in the area during the alleged incident.
For years, Swidan’s family has fought for his release, with his mother urging U.S. officials to take strong action. She expressed her concern over his declining health and the length of time he had been held.
Kai Li, a former resident of the U.S., was detained in China while attending a memorial service for his mother. He was taken as soon as he arrived in Shanghai in September 2016 and has been imprisoned on charges some believe are politically motivated.
John Leung, who has permanent residency in Hong Kong, was sentenced on espionage charges in 2023 after his initial detention in 2021. He has been involved in charitable work and fostering cultural exchange between the U.S. and China.
The release of these three individuals comes just months after the U.S. government successfully negotiated the release of another American, Pastor David Lin, who had been wrongfully detained for nearly 20 years.
Senator Ted Cruz from Texas expressed his joy at the news of their release, recognizing the hard work of the Biden administration and others who dedicated themselves to securing the release of those unjustly held in China. He emphasized that such negotiations are among the toughest tasks facing U.S. diplomats.
These releases offer a glimmer of hope for families who have endured long separations and advocate for stronger measures to ensure the safe return of detained U.S. citizens.
