Tengrinews.kz – China has released three Americans who were held for years and were deemed unjustly detained by the U.S. government, the White House said, according to Voice of America.
“We are pleased to announce the release of Mark Swidan, Kai Li, and John Leung from detention in the People’s Republic of China,” a National Security Council spokesperson said in a statement.
Swidan faced the death penalty on drug trafficking charges, while Li and Leung were in prison on espionage charges.
“Soon they will return and be reunited with their families for the first time in many years,” the spokesperson said.
Biden and his aides have repeatedly raised the issue of the three Americans detained in Beijing. In his most recent face-to-face meeting on the sidelines of the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Peru earlier this month, Biden also spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping, pressing for their return.
Since his tenure, Biden has brought home more than 70 Americans unjustly detained around the world. More than 40 others remain hostage or unjustly detained in more than a dozen countries, according to human rights groups.
Earlier, Chinese President Xi Jinping has identified four "red lines" in relations with the United States during talks with U.S. President Joe Biden.
