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 diplomatic agreement with Beijing in the final months of the Biden administration.

Three American citizens imprisoned for years by China have been released. That word comes Wednesday from the White House and it's 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.

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.

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.

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