A fragile bridge of trust had stretched between Washington and Beijing, with officials in dark trench coats standing at each end. China and the United States agreed to swap detainees in what many observers liken to a Cold War‑era exchange. Three people on each side were claimed by their governments to be innocent and are on their way home or will be very soon. The swap follows months of grueling negotiations and comes just weeks before Biden’s term in office winds down.
Washington and Beijing reacted with a mix of relief and fanfare. “They will soon return home and be with their families after years apart”, the U.S. National Security Council said. Secretary of State Blinken noted they are in good health and expected to arrive in time for Thanksgiving.
Hours later, Beijing offered its own take. “Thanks to the tireless efforts of the Chinese government, the three Chinese citizens unjustly detained by the United States have returned home safely”, said Mao Ning, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson, at the daily briefing. China added that it has long opposed the “repression and persecution” of its people for political reasons.
Biden’s Diplomatic Victory
Both powers are now said to be poring over every detail of the swap, each side quick to present itself as the aggrieved party while promising similar outcomes in the future. Detentions tied to espionage cases are not unusual in this rivalry; however, the swap itself sends a signal that dialogue remains possible even amid tension.
The exchange marks one of Biden’s notable diplomatic achievements during his time in office. He had discussed the matter earlier this month at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Peru with Xi Jinping, and his subordinates, including Blinken, had been closely involved in negotiations beforehand.
During his tenure, the administration has overseen the release of more than 70 Americans held abroad by countries such as Russia, Iran, or Venezuela. Those detained in China did not enjoy the same public fanfare as some Russians who were greeted at airports as heroes. Analysts suggest that Beijing’s decision to accept the swap now is open to interpretation. It could be a gesture to acknowledge Biden in his late stage, or a signal to his likely successor that cooperation can yield tangible results.
The Freed
The freed Americans are Kai Li, John Leung, and Mark Swidan. Li, 60, born in Shanghai, had worked in aerospace technology when he was detained in 2016 for allegedly passing state secrets. Leung, 78, connected with Chinese groups in the United States, was arrested in 2021 and sentenced to life in prison for espionage. Swidan, 48, is not charged with espionage; he was caught in a drug trafficking case during a business trip. His family had warned of weight loss and deteriorating health and criticized his government for treating him as a bargaining chip in the talks.
Beijing has not yet disclosed the identities of its released citizens. Reports from a major U.S. newspaper said Xu Yanjun, 42, was among those discussed during negotiations; he was convicted in 2023 of espionage that both he and Beijing deny. A look at the historical record shows there have been many possible candidates. The sheer number of cases has led Beijing to argue that U.S. hysteria has slowed academic exchanges and other cross‑border collaborations.