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

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.

First Lady Jill Biden accepted the delivery of this year’s White House Christmas tree from Cartner’s Christmas Tree Farm in Newland, an area impacted by Hurricane Helene.