The Biden administration negotiated a prisoner swap deal with China, resulting in the release of three American citizens. The released Americans include Mark Swidan, accused of drug-related offenses, Kai Li, held since 2016 on espionage charges, and John Leung, sentenced to life in prison on spying charges. In return, the United States released Xu Yanjun, a Chinese intelligence officer serving a 20-year sentence.
Prisoner Swap Deal
The Biden administration negotiated a prisoner swap deal with Beijing, which resulted in the release of three American citizens. In return, the United States released Xu Yanjun, a Chinese intelligence officer serving a 20-year sentence after he was arrested in Brussels in 2018 and extradited to the United States.
Released Americans
Mark Swidan, a businessman from Texas who was accused of drug-related offenses, Kai Li, who had been held since 2016 on espionage charges, and John Leung, who had residency in Hong Kong and was sentenced last year to life in prison on spying charges, were among the three American citizens released.
U.S. Travel Advisory
The State Department lowered its official travel advisory for mainland China and Hong Kong to Level 2, “Exercise increased caution.” The previous recommendation was for Americans to reconsider traveling to China due to the risk of wrongful detentions and exit bans.
Reunification with Families
The three American citizens are being reunited with their families for the first time in many years.
Return to the United States
The three Americans are heading back to the United States after months of diplomatic maneuvering to free them. They will be reunited with their families for the first time in many years.
Exchange Details
In return, the United States released Xu Yanjun, a Chinese intelligence officer serving a 20-year sentence after he was arrested in Brussels in 2018 and extradited to the United States in a dramatic F.B.I. operation, according to two U.S. officials.
Travel Advisory Changes
The State Department lowered its official travel advisory for mainland China and Hong Kong to Level 2, “Exercise increased caution.” The U.S. previously recommended Americans reconsider traveling to China due to the risk of wrongful detentions and exit bans.
Background
Human rights organizations have reported that China has increased the imposition of exit bans on both Chinese and foreign nationals since 2012. The U.S. previously recommended Americans reconsider traveling to China due to the risk of wrongful detentions and exit bans.
The United States and China have had increasing tensions in recent years, with China seeing detaining U.S. citizens as a way to get back spies, arms dealers, and others. The American government has warned U.S. citizens to reconsider travel to those countries or to be alert there.
Prisoner Swap Details
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Mark Swidan, a businessman from Texas, who was arrested in 2012 and accused of drug-related offenses.
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Kai Li, who had been held since 2016 on espionage charges.
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John Leung, who had residency in Hong Kong, and was sentenced last year to life in prison on spying charges.
