Wells Fargo Banker Detained by China Now Free to Return to US

Adam Boehler, special envoy for hostage response, said officials’ actions show ‘U.S. policy has changed.’

People walk outside Shanghai World Financial Center, where a Wells Fargo office is situated, in Shanghai on July 18, 2025. Go Nakamura/Reuters

An American Wells Fargo employee detained by China via an exit ban earlier this year is now allowed to return to the United States.

The Washington Post first reported the development, which came after U.S. and Chinese officials met for two days of talks in Madrid.

Wells Fargo executive Mao Chenyue was barred from leaving China in July due to what Chinese authorities said was an ongoing criminal investigation. The bank has since suspended all travel to China.

During an event hosted by the Washington-based think tank Center for a New American Security on Sept. 16, Adam Boehler, U.S. special envoy for hostage response, said that the United States “did just get someone that was held in their home released from China.”

Boehler did not name the person released. The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

“It’s unacceptable everywhere to do those things. China should know that, and I think we made it very clear, and they responded in a positive way from that perspective. I like that, but there’s more to do,” Boehler said.

“I would hope China continues to proactively respond, because in this administration, you’re always on better negotiating ground if you don’t have Americans [detained]. Always.”

He said that while Beijing has a very “complex decision-making process,” U.S. leadership pressing the matter with the Chinese regime does help move the needle.

“When things are raised at a senior level, ambassador level, at a [Secretary of State] Rubio level, it does make a difference because what they’re really doing is ... they’re explaining that U.S. policy has changed and that it is a huge negative to hold Americans, and that is best explained directly,” Boehler said.

On Sept. 5, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to allow punishments for countries that wrongfully detain Americans, which Boehler said changed the conversation.

“In theory, we have a lot of tools that we can use,” Boehler said.

Sanctions are one such tool, but they require long processes and inputs, he added.

The order reverses the standard, he said, meaning the United States can, by default, use all these tools unless there is a decision to make an exception.

Boehler said the administration has already secured the release of 75 or 76 Americans “without giving up almost anyone” in exchange.

“Americans would be shocked if they knew how many Americans are held,” Boehler said.

The Dui Hua nonprofit organization, which tracks political prisoners detained by the Chinese regime, estimated that more than 200 Americans were detained in China as of September 2024.

Boehler said his job was to apply “constant, consistent, and authentic pressure” in negotiating the release of Americans, and that other officials play their role in finding the right moments to raise the issue.

“It’s not just me,” he said.

The State Department did not provide additional details on the person released.

“The Department of State has no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens,” the agency told The Epoch Times. “We have nothing further on Special Envoy Boehler’s comments at this time.”

Eva Fu and Reuters contributed to this report.