US arrests woman accused of spying for China on Taiwan leader's family
LOS ANGELES — A woman accused of spying for China on Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's son and his family was arrested Sunday in the United States, U.S. and Taiwanese officials said. Wanying Zhang, 34, was detained by the FBI at Los Angeles airport "attempting to depart for China," First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli said in an X post. Zhang is accused of acting as an…
U.S. and Taiwanese officials confirmed that Wanying Zhang, a 34-year-old woman, was arrested at Los Angeles airport on Sunday as she attempted to depart for China. She is alleged to have been spying on the family of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, according to First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli. The FBI claims Zhang acted as an unregistered agent of China, surveilling the president's son and his family by filming their home and vehicles, and transmitting the information back to Chinese handlers.
China regards Taiwan as its territory and has threatened to use force to take control of the island. Zhang had traveled to Seattle in 2025 and, following Chinese instructions, sent photos, videos, and license plate details to Chinese officials. FBI Director Kash Patel applauded the arrest, warning foreign adversaries that "America is on notice."
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- FBI arrests woman accused of surveilling Taiwanese president's son for China cbsnews.com
- US: FBI arrests woman accused of spying for China dw.com
- FBI arrests California woman under suspicion of spying on Taiwan's president's son for China jpost.com
- FBI arrests woman accused of spying for China in US freemalaysiatoday.com
- US arrests woman accused of spying for China on Taiwan leader's family koreatimes.co.kr
