US authorities arrest woman accused of spying for China
US officials have arrested Wanying Zhang at Los Angeles airport on charges of spying for China and surveilling the son of Taiwan’s president.
Key Takeaways
AIUS authorities have arrested Wanying Zhang, also known as Heather, at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday, charging her with spying for Chinese officials and monitoring the son of Taiwan’s president.
The FBI said Zhang, 34, a resident of Irvine, California, was preparing to travel to China when she was detained, according to Reuters.
The bureau stated that Zhang acted on behalf of a foreign entity without official registration and surveilled the son of Taiwan’s president, Lai Ching-te. While the FBI did not directly name the target, it referenced a New York Post report identifying him as Lai Ting-yu, who lives in the United States.
The US Department of Justice added that Zhang traveled to Seattle under instructions from Chinese officials, sending them photos, videos, and license plate data related to the Taiwanese president’s son and his family.
Bill Isaili, First Assistant US Attorney for the Central District of California, confirmed that Zhang used covert methods to avoid detection and did not inform US authorities of her work for a foreign government.
Taiwan’s presidential office described Zhang’s actions as a "typical case of transnational repression" and thanked the US government for protecting Taiwanese citizens.
Presidential office spokesperson Karen Kuo condemned the behavior, saying it disregards human rights and national sovereignty. China’s foreign ministry did not respond to a request for comment.
The United States does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but remains the island’s main international supporter and primary arms supplier.