US arrests woman accused of spying for China on Taiwan leader’s family
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, US 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 […]
US and Taiwanese officials announced that Wanying Zhang, a 34-year-old woman, was arrested at Los Angeles airport on Sunday. She is accused of attempting to leave for China while allegedly spying on Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's son and family. Zhang, an unregistered agent of China, is alleged to have surveilled the president's relative in the US by filming their home and vehicles and reporting the information back to Chinese handlers.
She reportedly traveled to Seattle and sent photos, videos, and license plate information to Chinese officials. FBI Director Kash Patel expressed satisfaction with the arrest, stating that "America is no longer a safe place to run your espionage operations." Lai, who took office in January 2024, has been critical of China's sovereignty claims over Taiwan.
The arrest is seen as a case of "transnational repression" by Lai's office and the Taiwanese government.
Written by urgent.news from Hong Kong Free Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 6 other outlets
- US arrests woman accused of spying for China on Taiwan leader’s family hongkongfp.com
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- 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
- US arrests woman accused of spying for China on Taiwan leader’s family punchng.com
