Three American citizens who had been detained in China have been released, including Mark Swidan, Kai Li, and John Leung. Li, a 70-year-old from Long Island, New York, was sentenced to 10 years in 2018 on espionage charges that his family claims were baseless. 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 to have no evidential basis by a United Nations group. Leung, an American in his 70s with residency in Hong Kong, was sentenced to life in prison for espionage last year.
The families of the freed Americans expressed gratitude for their upcoming reunions after years of separation. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer worked with Li’s son, Harrison Li, to advocate for his release. The surprise release of American pastor David Lin in September prompted further actions by the Biden administration to address Americans detained in China, leading to the recent releases.
The families of the released Americans had faced challenges, including dealing with slow progress and their loved ones’ deteriorating health while in captivity. Efforts to secure the return of other detainees in China, including Nelson Wells Jr. and Dawn Hunt, are ongoing. The U.S. has classified about 200 Americans detained in China, with only a few considered wrongfully detained.
Despite the progress in releasing these individuals, challenges remain in addressing the larger issue of Americans detained in China, with concerns about potential obstacles under a new administration. Families continue to advocate for the return of their loved ones who remain in Chinese custody, fearing that speaking out publicly could impede efforts to secure their release.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com
