Official announcements from the US government or major news outlets

US-China Prisoner Swap Frees 3 Americans, Including Texas Man

Nov 30, 2024, 03:49 PM

The United States and China have conducted a rare prisoner swap, resulting in the release of three Americans who had been imprisoned in China for years. The individuals, identified as Kai Li, John Leung, and Mark Swidan, including a Texas man, returned to the U.S. on Wednesday. In exchange, the U.S. returned four individuals to China, including three Chinese citizens, one of whom had been convicted of possessing child pornography. The identity of the fourth person was not disclosed. The White House announced the agreement earlier this week, following a November 28 announcement from China, marking a significant diplomatic move in the final months of the Biden administration. Analysts suggest the swap signals Beijing's willingness to negotiate on high-profile cases with the Trump administration, though many Americans remain under exit bans in China.