Three Americans Freed from Chinese Detention in Prisoner Swap

The U.S. secured the release of Mark Swidan, Kai Li, and John Leung, who were held for years on disputed charges, in exchange for three Chinese nationals convicted of espionage.

Mark Swidan, Kai Li, and John Leung, detained in China on charges the U.S. deemed arbitrary, were released after years of imprisonment.
The prisoner swap involved three Chinese nationals, including intelligence officers convicted of espionage in the U.S.
Mark Swidan, held for over a decade, was sentenced to death in 2019 on drug charges; the U.N. had condemned his detention as a 'deprivation of liberty.'
Kai Li, arrested in 2016 on espionage charges, and John Leung, detained in 2021, faced harsh sentences and poor prison conditions.
The release followed years of negotiations and direct advocacy by the Biden administration, including discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping.