- Sources say the arrangement was part of a swap deal with Beijing.
- US officials discussed the return of Americans imprisoned in China.
- A long-time “fugitive” was also handed back to China, says Beijing FM Spokes.
Beijing said on Thursday that three of its citizens “wrongfully imprisoned” in the United States had returned to China, after US officials said they had discussed the return of three Americans imprisoned there.
Washington said on Wednesday it had secured the return of the last detainees to China who were wrongfully detained by the State Department.
Sources close to the matter said the arrangement was part of a swap deal with Beijing for three Chinese nationals in US custody who have not been identified.
Beijing’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the return of three citizens from the United States on Thursday without giving further details.
“After the continuous efforts of the Chinese government, three Chinese citizens wrongly imprisoned by the US have now returned home safely,” spokesman Mao Ning said at a regular press conference in Beijing.
“This shows once again that China will not abandon its compatriots at any time, and the motherland is always there as a strong support for them,” Mao said.
He added that Beijing “constantly opposes the US side’s suppression and persecution of Chinese citizens for political purposes, and will continue to take necessary measures as usual to safeguard their interests.” .
A long-time “fugitive” was also handed back to China, Mao said, adding that their return showed that “no one can escape the long hand of the law”.