The State Department downgraded its travel advisory for China on Wednesday after the release of three U.S. citizens who had been held in the country for years.

The State Department on Wednesday downgraded its travel advisory for China, shortly after the White House announced it had secured the release of three Americans as part of a prisoner swap with

In response to the US State Department relaxing its travel advisory for China and removing the notation that indicates a risk of wrongful detention, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that China has taken note of the US adjustment and believes that this move is beneficial for normal exchanges between the two countries.

The White House on Wednesday announced that China released Mark Swidan, Kai Li and John Leung. Swidan and Li were considered wrongfully detained. China also released an American pastor earlier this year.