WASHINGTON (AP) — 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.

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

The United States has brokered the release of three Americans in a deal with China that includes the exchange of unidentified Chinese citizens being held in the U.S., Politico reported on Wednesday citing an unnamed Biden administration official.

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.

The releases marked a successful conclusion of an effort by the Biden administration to secure their freedom.

Three American citizens who had been detained in China were released, a State Department spokesperson said Wednesday.

China is releasing three Americans who were "wrongfully detained," a National Security Council spokesperson says.

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,