A woman accused of spying for China on Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's family was arrested in the United States, US and Taiwanese officials confirmed. Wanying Zhang, 34, was detained by the FBI at Los Angeles airport while attempting to depart for China. According to First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli, Zhang is accused of acting as an unregistered agent of China and spying on a close relative of a Taiwanese government official in the US.
Zhang allegedly surveilled Lai's son and his family, filming their home, vehicles, and reporting information back to Chinese handlers. The FBI said she traveled to Seattle in 2025 and, at the direction of Chinese officials, sent photos, videos, and license plate information to those officials. This operation was part of China's alleged efforts to gather intelligence on Taiwanese leaders and their families.
China claims Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to annex the island. Lai Ching-te, who was elected president in January 2024, has been an outspoken defender of Taiwan's sovereignty and is detested by Chinese leaders. His office condemned the "barbaric acts" targeting his family, describing it as a case of "transnational repression."
Taiwan's government has warned its citizens of growing risks to their safety in China and elsewhere after Beijing's ethnic unity law took effect in July. The law aims to forge a "shared" national identity among ethnic groups but has been criticized for potentially degrading the rights of ethnic minorities. Overseas campaigners argue it will give the Chinese government more justification for targeting its opponents abroad.
FBI Director Kash Patel cheered the arrest, warning foreign adversaries that "America is no longer a safe place to run your espionage operations." Zhang, who resides in Irvine, California, coordinated the trip with an associate and used tradecraft to avoid detection. She is expected to make her initial appearance in federal court on Monday.
The arrest has been seen as a significant move in the ongoing tensions between the US, China, and Taiwan. Lai's office expressed gratitude to US judicial authorities for their assistance and protection of Taiwanese citizens. The case highlights the complex geopolitics at play in the region and the measures being taken to counter espionage operations.
Key points
- The US arrested a woman accused of spying for China on Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's family.
- The accused, Wanying Zhang, was detained by the FBI at Los Angeles airport while attempting to depart for China.
- The case highlights the ongoing tensions between the US, China, and Taiwan, and the measures being taken to counter espionage operations.
