The State Department announced the release of Mark Swidan, Kai Li and John Leung. A U.S. government official told NBC News the three were exchanged for two Chinese detainees.

The deal suggests a willingness by Beijing to engage with the Biden administration before Donald Trump's return to the White House.

Mark Swidan, Kai Li, and John Leung have been released from detention, a spokesperson for the National Security Council said.

Three Americans who had been detained in China for years have been released in a prisoner swap between Washington and Beijing.

The Chinese government also announced Thursday that the U.S. had returned four people to China, including at least three Chinese citizens who it said had been held for “political purposes,” and a person who had been sought by Beijing for crimes and had been living in the United States. It did not identify the four.

Three American citizens who had been imprisoned in China for years were released and are on their way back to the United States, the White House announced Wednesday. The development marks a significant diplomatic achievement in the final months of President Joe Biden 's administration.

WASHINGTON — China has released U.S. citizens Mark Swidan, Kai Li and John Leung, the White House said on Wednesday, concluding years of diplomacy over Americans that Washington says were wrongfully detained in China.

Three American citizens imprisoned for years by China have been released. That word comes Wednesday from the White House. The three are Mark Swidan, Kai Li and John Leung. The

The exchange was reportedly months in the making, and included the release of at least one Chinese citizen in US custody.