Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China and senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has issued a statement regarding the release of three American prisoners who were wrongfully detained in China.

"We are overjoyed that Mark Swidan, Kai Li and John Leung are finally being released from their wrongful detention in China and that their family members—including those who shared testimony at the congressional hearing I chaired in September—received the news in time for Thanksgiving," said Rep. Smith.

Despite this positive development, Rep. Smith emphasized that other Americans remain imprisoned in China, including Nelson Wells and Dawn Hunt, whose families also testified at his hearing titled 'Bringing Home Americans Detained in China.' He expressed concern over individuals like Ekpar Asat and Gulshan Abbas, who have been detained due to their connections with the United States.

Rep. Smith urged President Trump to prioritize securing the release of these individuals, stating, "We appeal to President Trump to make their release a priority as we know he will be a tough advocate for American interests vis-à-vis China and for American citizens held captive by the Chinese Communist Party."