Three American citizens imprisoned for years by China have been released and are returning to the United States, the White House said Wednesday, announcing a rare diplomatic agreement with Beijing in the final months of the Biden administration.

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

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.