China releases 3 Americans in prisoner swap

(NewsNation) — China has released 3 American prisoners who were detained for astatine slightest 8 years, White House officials confirmed Wednesday.

Mark Swidan, Kai Li and John Leung were freed aft years of talks betwixt U.S. and Chinese officials, according to Politico, which archetypal reported the captive swap.

Full details of the swap were not instantly clear.

The quality comes astir 2 months aft China released 68-year-old California pastor David Lin, who was detained for astir 20 years.

“We are pleased to denote the merchandise of Mark Swidan, Kai Li, and John Leung from detention successful the People’s Republic of China,” a State Department spokesperson said. “Soon they volition instrumentality and beryllium reunited with their families for the archetypal clip successful galore years. Thanks to this Administration’s efforts and diplomacy with the PRC, each of the wrongfully detained Americans successful the PRC are home.”

The fig of Americans considered wrongfully detained has sky-rocketed since 2012, according to the James Foley Legacy Foundation.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.