US arrests woman accused of spying for China on Taiwan leader’s family

US officials have announced the arrest of a 34-year-old woman, Wanying Zhang, in Los Angeles, California, on Sunday. Zhang is accused of attempting to depart for China with the intention of spying on Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's family. According to First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli, Zhang was detained at Los Angeles International Airport for allegedly acting as an unregistered agent of China and surveilling a "close relative of a Taiwanese government official".

The FBI claims that Zhang filmed the home, vehicles, and reported information back to Chinese handlers.

Zhang is alleged to have traveled to Seattle in 2025 and, at the direction of Chinese officials, sent photos, videos, and license plate information to those officials. FBI Director Kash Patel praised the arrest, warning foreign adversaries, "America is no longer a safe place to run your espionage operations."

The arrest comes as a response to what Taiwan President Lai Ching-te's office described as "transnational repression." Lai, who was elected in January 2024, has been a vocal defender of Taiwan's sovereignty and is seen as an enemy by Chinese leaders. The Taipei Presidential Office condemned the alleged spying act against Lai's family and expressed gratitude for the assistance of US judicial authorities in protecting its citizens.

Zhang is expected to appear in federal court on Monday for her initial hearing.