Lawmaker Pushes for Freedom of Kai Li and Mark Swidan

Rep. Michael McCaul has called for the release of two Americans held in China, highlighting concerns over “hostage diplomacy.”

At a Glance

Rep. Michael McCaul urges the immediate release of Kai Li and Mark Swidan, both designated as “wrongfully detained” by U.S.
Kai Li, detained since 2016, is serving a 10-year sentence for alleged espionage.
Mark Swidan, held since 2012, is facing a death sentence with a two-year reprieve for drug-related charges.
McCaul warns of rising trend of “hostage diplomacy” by authoritarian regimes

Americans Detained in China: Kai Li and Mark Swidan

Two American citizens, Kai Li and Mark Swidan, remain detained in China under circumstances that have drawn international concern. Their cases have prompted Rep. Michael McCaul, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, to call for their immediate release and highlight the issue of “hostage diplomacy” by authoritarian regimes.

Kai Li, a Chinese American, has been held in China since 2016. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2018 on espionage charges that his family claims are politically motivated. Mark Swidan’s situation is even more dire. Detained since 2012, he was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve in 2019 for alleged drug-related crimes.

The top Republican on the Foreign Affairs Committee said “𝗵𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗰𝘆” 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲.

This comes a day after the Chinese regime released an American citizen and pastor who had been detained for nearly 20 years.https://t.co/cFY1t51thJ

— Capitol Report_NTD (@capitolreport) September 17, 2024

McCaul’s Call for Action

Rep. Michael McCaul has been vocal about the need for immediate action to secure the release of Li and Swidan. In a recent statement, McCaul emphasized the urgency of their situations and criticized China’s tactics.

“The CCP’s hostage diplomacy is the behavior of a rogue state, not a global leader,” he said.

McCaul’s comments come in the wake of the release of David Lin, an American pastor who was detained in China for nearly 20 years. His release has intensified calls for action on behalf of other Americans still held in China.

Concerns Over “Hostage Diplomacy”

The detention of Americans in China has raised alarms about what McCaul sees as a pattern of “hostage diplomacy.” This practice involves detaining foreign nationals on dubious charges to gain political leverage.

“U.S. citizens are not required to register their travel to a foreign country with us, and we do not maintain comprehensive lists of U.S. citizens residing overseas,” a State Department spokesperson told VOA when responding to a question about how many wrongfully detained Americans are in China.

The State Department advises U.S. citizens to reconsider travel to China due to the risk of arbitrary enforcement of local laws and wrongful detention. Reports indicate that over 200 Americans are currently under “coercive measures” in China, with more than 30 subject to exit bans.

Families and Advocates Push for Action

The families of detained Americans and advocacy groups are calling on the Biden administration to take decisive action. Harrison Li, son of Kai Li, expressed mixed emotions after witnessing the return of Americans wrongfully imprisoned in Russia, highlighting the ongoing struggle for those still held in China.

“Our family is extremely pleased to see the return of Paul Whelan, Alsu Kurmasheva, and Evan Gershkovich back to the U.S. and wish them and their families the best in the long road to recovery,” Harrison Li told VOA in August. However, he also indicated he was frustrated due to the lack of forward movement in his father’s situation.

As the U.S. government continues to work on these cases, the situation of Americans detained in China remains a critical issue in U.S.-China relations. The release of David Lin has provided a glimmer of hope, but the ongoing detention of Kai Li, Mark Swidan, and others continues to be a source of deep concern for their families and for U.S. officials.