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California woman arrested and accused of spying on Taiwan president’s son for China
Confirmed
In Short: The FBI arrested Wanying Zhang, a 34-year-old California woman, at Los Angeles International Airport before she was set to depart for China.
The FBI arrested Wanying Zhang, a 34-year-old California woman, at Los Angeles International Airport before she was set to depart for China. Zhang is accused of spying on the son of Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te at the behest of Chinese officials.
According to the FBI, Zhang sent photos and videos of President Lai’s son and his family to Chinese officials. She was arrested on Sunday, October 4, 2026, as she was preparing to board a flight to Shanghai.
First Assistant US Attorney for the Central District of California, Bill Essayli, stated that Zhang was acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government, a federal offense. She never notified the Attorney General that she was working for a foreign entity, as required by law.
The criminal complaint alleges that Zhang and an unnamed individual flew from Las Vegas to Seattle on September 1, 2025. Zhang reportedly sent messages to Chinese officials, including license plate numbers and descriptions of the son of President Lai.
FBI Special Agent Kevin Holt wrote in the complaint that Zhang was in contact with at least two people who appeared to work for the Chinese government. He noted that the information could be used to obtain leverage over the President of Taiwan during any potential conflict.
Zhang's husband, Edric Ding, declined to comment when contacted by CBS News. He stated, 'I don’t know anything yet,' and refused to provide further remarks.
Taiwan's presidential office described Zhang's actions as a 'typical case of transnational repression' and thanked the US government for protecting Taiwanese citizens.
The arrest highlights the ongoing tensions between China and Taiwan, with Taiwan asserting that only its people can decide their future.
Background
The FBI arrested Wanying Zhang in Los Angeles, accusing her of spying on the son of Taiwan's president at the behest of Chinese officials.
What's confirmed
- The 34-year-old woman was arrested before a planned departure to China.
- A California woman, Wanying Zhang, also known as Heather, is taken by the FBI after they arrested her and the US authorities accused her of spying on a son of Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te at the behest of Chinese officials, in Los Angeles, California, US, Oc 4, 2026.
- (Image: Reuters/Bill Essayli, First Assistant US Attorney for the Central District of California/X) WASHINGTON: US authorities arrested a California woman on Sunday (Oct 4) and accused her of spying on a son of Taiwan's president at the behest of Chinese officials, the FBI said.
- China’s foreign ministry did not respond to a request for comment.
- We just arrested a Chinese foreign agent at LAX attempting to depart for China.
- Lai says only Taiwan’s people can decide their future.
What's still developing
- Holt said the university has close ties to China’s Ministry of State Security.
- "Our country expresses the strongest condemnation of such barbaric conduct that disregards human rights and the sovereignty of nations," spokesperson Karen Kuo said in a statement.
- She wrote, “Saw him. Young male. It’s that young one”, and “I am videorecording”, before sending two licence plate numbers.
- She later sent a message to the official saying, “I can take care of this thing”, the complaint said.