Harrison Li, the son of Kai Li, a Chinese American wrongfully detained in China since 2016, was filled with a mix of emotions when he saw Americans wrongfully imprisoned in Russia return home. President Joe Biden and the families of those released celebrated the return of three Americans and a permanent resident as part of a prisoner exchange. Kai Li, along with two other Americans, Mark Swidan and David Lin, remains wrongfully detained in China. Kai Li was arrested in Shanghai in 2016 and sentenced to 10 years in prison for espionage, a charge he denies. The U.S. State Department does not disclose the total number of Americans wrongfully detained in China for privacy reasons. Harrison Li has been advocating for his father’s release for eight years. He expressed frustration over the lack of attention given to his father’s case by the U.S. administration. Several members of Congress, including Congressman Michael McCaul, are urging the Biden administration to secure the release of Americans wrongfully detained in China.
Katherine Swidan, the mother of Mark Swidan, shared that her son has been on a hunger strike for 115 days while being detained in China since 2012 on narcotics trafficking charges. Despite a visit from U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns, Mark continues to feel disappointed and angry, with suicidal tendencies. Peter Humphrey, a former British reporter in China who was released from prison in 2015, now assists foreign citizens detained in China. He believes the U.S. should refocus its attention on Americans improperly detained in China and elsewhere. The U.S. State Department continues to advocate for the release of wrongfully detained U.S. citizens in China.
Nelson and Cynthia Wells, whose son Nelson Wells Jr. was sentenced to life imprisonment in China in 2014 for “drug smuggling,” have not received a response to their letters to U.S. presidents about their son’s imprisonment. They feel that higher-profile individuals may receive more recognition in such cases. U.S. Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy are advocating for Nelson Wells Jr. to be recognized as “wrongfully detained.” The Wells also spoke with House Speaker Mike Johnson about the issue.
In light of recent events, it is essential for the U.S. government to prioritize the release of Americans wrongfully detained in China and provide support to their families. The cases of Kai Li, Mark Swidan, David Lin, and others should not be forgotten as efforts continue to bring them back home. The families of the detained individuals are calling for urgent action and appealing for the U.S. government’s intervention in securing their loved ones’ safe return.
