Beijing: China on Thursday decried the alleged 'persecution' of its citizens by the US following a bilateral prisoner swap deal, state media reported. Beijing has 'always firmly opposed the US side's suppression and persecution of Chinese citizens for political purposes,' Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning stated to reporters in the Chinese capital. Mao confirmed that three Chinese citizens, who were 'wrongfully detained by the US,' have safely returned to China. According to Anadolu Agency, the statement from Mao came shortly after Washington declared a prisoner exchange with Beijing, resulting in the release of three Americans who were 'wrongfully' detained in China. These Americans are now under US custody. Additionally, Mao mentioned the return of a fugitive who had been evading justice in the US for many years, emphasizing that 'no place can forever be a paradise for evading justice.' Mao reiterated China's commitment to 'safeguard legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens' and its determi nation to 'relentlessly pursue fugitives and recover stolen assets.' Regarding the US easing its travel advisory for China, Mao remarked that this decision 'will benefit regular exchanges between the two countries.' She expressed hope that the US would continue to foster conveniences that promote people-to-people exchanges, opposing any deliberate creation of a 'chilling effect.'