Woman arrested in US by FBI over alleged Chinese espionage targeting Taiwan president’s family

A woman, Wanying Zhang, 34, has been arrested by the FBI in the United States for allegedly spying for China on the son and family of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, according to US and Taiwanese officials. Zhang was detained at Los Angeles airport "attempting to depart for China" by the FBI's First Assistant United States Attorney, Bill Essayli.

She is accused of acting as an unregistered agent of China and spying on a "close relative of a Taiwanese government official" in the US, according to the FBI. Zhang allegedly surveilled Lai's "son and his family—filming their home, vehicles, and reporting information back to (People's Republic of China) handlers," the FBI stated on its rapid response account on X. Zhang had traveled to Seattle in 2025 and, at the direction of Chinese officials, sent "photos, videos, and license plate information to those officials," according to Essayli.

FBI Director Kash Patel praised the arrest, warning foreign adversaries that "America is no longer a safe place to run your espionage operations." Lai, who was elected president in January 2024, has been a vocal defender of Taiwan's sovereignty and is viewed unfavorably by Chinese leaders. Lai's office condemned the "barbaric acts," which it confirmed targeted the president's family, and called it a case of "transnational repression."

The "Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress," which took effect in July, has been criticized by overseas campaigners for potentially worsening the situation of ethnic minorities in China, as it can hold people liable for violating the law even outside China. Zhang, who resides in Irvine, California, is expected to make her initial appearance in federal court on Monday.