The Foreign Ministry said three Chinese nationals jailed in the United States have returned to China.

That's after the White House said three Americans jailed in China were released and heading back to the US.

"Following unremitting efforts by the Chinese government, three Chinese nationals wrongfully imprisoned by the American side have now safely returned to the motherland," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular press briefing in Beijing on Thursday.

She said Beijing "consistently opposes the American side carrying out the suppression and persecution of Chinese nationals out of political aims, and will continue as ever to take necessary measures" to uphold their interests.

Mao added a longtime "fugitive" was also extradited back to China.

Earlier, Washington said it secured the return of three Americans classified by the US State Department as wrongfully detained.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he had spoken to Mark Swidan, Kai Li and John Leung, and that they were in good health. (Reuters/AFP)