California woman arrested for spying on Taiwan president's son
Wanying Zhang was arrested at LAX. She's accused of gathering photos, video and surveillance data on Taiwan's President Lai's son for Chinese officials.
The FBI arrested Wanying Zhang at Los Angeles International Airport before she could depart to China. The 34-year-old from Irvine is accused of working for China without telling the US government.
Authorities say she travelled to Seattle in 2025 at Chinese officials' direction. She was there to watch Lai Ting-yu, a son of Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te.
Wanying Zhang sent photos, video and licence-plate information back to her handlers. Taiwan's presidential office called it "typical transnational repression" and thanked the US for the protection.
Zhang is due in federal court in Los Angeles on Monday.
- 34
- Wanying Zhang age
- Irvine, California
- Zhang's location
- Seattle
- Surveillance location
- 2025
- Year of surveillance
Why it mattersThe case shows China's reach to conduct surveillance operations on US soil. It targets officials that China views as threats.
AustraliaAustralia's closest regional ally faces growing Chinese pressure tactics; US-China tensions over Taiwan continue to shape regional security.
Corroborated bytheguardian.com
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 1 h ago
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