Peter Dahlin, 35, has been held since early January amid a crackdown on human rights lawyers and activists.
Last week he appeared on state media apparently confessing to breaking the law through his organisation`s support of local Chinese rights lawyers.
The Swedish embassy confirmed he had left China but gave no further details. Its foreign minister welcomed Mr Dahlin`s release, but expressed concern about another Swede in Chinese detention.
`Absurd` confession
Mr Dahlin is the founder of Chinese Urgent Action Working Group (China Action), which describes itself as a legal aid organisation.
It provides assistance to uncertified lawyers who provide legal aid in rural areas, and provides direct help to disadvantaged groups and individuals who have experienced rights violations.
The group had said Mr Dahlin was detained on 4 January while en route to the airport.
Last week, in a report on state television, Mr Dahlin appeared to confess to aiding the Beijing law firm Fengrui - a number of the firm`s lawyers have recently been detained on charges of subversion.
Mr Dahlin said he had violated Chinese law, caused harm to the Chinese government and hurt the Chinese public.
China Action called the report "absurd" and said the confession appeared to be forced.
China releases Swedish rights activist Peter Dahlin
26 January 2016
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A Swedish activist who was detained in China on charges of damaging national security has been released and deported.
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