China released three US citizens unjustly detained », American officials announced on Wednesday, November 27, a few weeks before the end of the administration of outgoing President Joe Biden and the return of Donald Trump to the White House. They were released – in an exchange – for Chinese nationals detained in the United States.
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After several years of captivity, the three American citizens will once again be able to set foot on United States soil, writes our correspondent in Beijing, Clea Broadhurst. Mark Swidan, a Texas businessman, was arrested in 2012 on drug trafficking charges. Sentenced to death in 2019, he spent twelve years in prison before being released.
Reconsider traveling to China
Kai Li, a New York businessman of Chinese origin, arrested in 2016 for espionage during a visit to Shanghai, was sentenced to ten years in prison after a secret trial; his detention was described as arbitrary by the ‘UN. Finally, John Leung was sentenced to life imprisonment for espionage. Following his conviction, the United States recommended that Americans reconsider their travel in China due to the arbitrary application of the law, bans on leaving the country and the risk of unjustified detentions.
Relations between the two powers remain marked by deep tensions, linked to trade, human rights, the fight against fentanyl trafficking, but also security issues such as espionage and computer hacking. This strategic gesture, however, marks an important diplomatic step forward. This comes as Beijing appears to want to engage in dialogue with the Biden administration before the arrival of Donald Trump in January 2025. The release of the Americans was carried out, writes the AFP, with the greatest discretion, unlike the recent exchanges of prisoners between the UNITED STATES and Russia where President Biden went to the airport to welcome them.
“ China will never give up on its compatriots »
For its part, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed Thursday the return of three nationals detained in the United States, without providing further details. “ This situation once again shows that China will never give up on its compatriots “, declared the ministry spokesperson, adding that Beijing “ strongly opposes the repression and persecution of its citizens by the United States for political purposes » and will continue to “ take the necessary measures to defend the rights and interests of its nationals “.
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