In recent months, as some American families have joyously reunited with loved ones released from Russian detention, many others continue to suffer in silence, awaiting the return of relatives imprisoned in China. With the clock ticking down on President Biden’s term, the urgency to bring these Americans home is growing ever more intense.
Three Americans—Kai Li, Mark Swidan, and David Lin—are officially recognized by the U.S. State Department as “wrongfully detained” in China. Their stories, marked by dubious charges and harsh prison conditions, highlight the dire need for swift action.
Kai Li: A Businessman’s Nightmare
Kai Li, a New York businessman, was arrested in 2016 while visiting Shanghai for a memorial ceremony. Without access to legal counsel, he was held in a secret location and later convicted of espionage in a one-hour trial. Currently, he is serving a 10-year sentence at Qingpu prison in Shanghai. Over the years, Li has suffered a stroke and other serious health issues. His son, Harrison Li, is desperate for his father’s return, stating, “Every day just feels like I want to give up hope…but we have to keep fighting.”
Mark Swidan: A Business Trip Turned Hellish
In 2012, Mark Swidan, a Texas native, was arrested during a business trip and accused of drug trafficking. Despite clear evidence of his innocence, he was sentenced to death and is now languishing in Jiangmen Prison under deplorable conditions. Swidan’s health has deteriorated severely, and his mother, Katherine Swidan, fears he may take his own life. “We are very concerned and afraid that Mark will end his life,” she said, echoing the desperate plea for immediate intervention.
David Lin: A Pastor’s Unjust Sentence
Pastor David Lin was arrested in 2006 while on a ministry trip and sentenced to life imprisonment for “contract fraud.” Currently housed in Beijing Municipal Prison No. 2, Lin’s sentence was recently reduced, yet he is not expected to be released until 2029. The prolonged separation from his family continues to take a heavy toll.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns have repeatedly raised these cases with Chinese officials. Despite these efforts, there has been little progress. The State Department’s travel advisory to China was raised to Level 3, warning Americans of the risk of wrongful detentions, yet Beijing remains unyielding.
The families of these detained Americans face a daunting challenge. They fear the uncertainty of a new administration potentially deprioritizing their loved ones’ release. John Kamm, founder of the Dui Hua Foundation, advocates for political prisoners in China, urging, “If the Chinese government is sincere about wanting to improve relations with the United States, they should release Americans who are wrongfully imprisoned.”
There are precedents for securing the release of Western prisoners from Chinese jails. In 2021, Canada negotiated the release of two citizens in exchange for Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou. Similarly, three UCLA basketball players were freed in 2017 following direct intervention by then-President Trump. The Biden administration has successfully negotiated prisoner releases from Russia, Iran, and Venezuela. Now, the same determination and diplomatic effort must be directed towards China.
The stakes are high. These Americans are ordinary people with no powerful connections, yet their families suffer immensely from their absence. The Biden Administration has failed, perhaps a stronger administration will be able to get them home.