Three American citizens who had been detained in China were released, a State Department spokesperson said Wednesday. They are Mark Swidan, Kai Li and John Leung.

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. “We are pleased to announce the release of Mark Swidan, Kai Li and John Leung from detention in the People’s Republic of China,

The White House announced a deal with China Wednesday to free Mark Swidan, Kai Li and John Leung, who the U.S. considered wrongfully imprisoned. CBS News political reporter Taurean Small has more on how the deal came about and what it means for the countries' relationship.

Actor Mel Gibson applauded U.S. officials on Wednesday for securing the release of American Mark Swidan, who has been detained in China since 2012. “He was wrongfully detained there for a crime he did not commit and spent over a decade in prison in horrible conditions and his release was procured,

Americans Mark Swidan, Kai Li and John Leung are en route back to the United States from imprisonment in China, the White House said.

A U.S. official said President Joe Biden pressed for the return of the three when he met Chinese President Xi Jinping at a regional summit in Peru.

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

China released three American detainees Wednesday after striking a deal for a prisoner exchange with the Biden administration.

The White House says 3 Americans long held in China have now been released from custody.