California Woman Arrested Over Alleged Spying on Taiwan President’s Son

U.S. authorities arrested a California woman on Sunday over allegations that she secretly gathered information on the son of Taiwan President Lai Ching-te on behalf of Chinese officials.

The FBI said Wanying Zhang, 34, who also goes by Heather, was taken into custody at Los Angeles International Airport before she was scheduled to leave for China. The Irvine resident has been charged with acting as an unregistered foreign agent.

Federal investigators allege Zhang conducted surveillance on one of Lai’s sons. While the FBI did not initially identify the alleged target by name, the agency later shared a New York Post report identifying him as Lai Ting-yu, who resides in the United States.

According to the U.S. Justice Department, Zhang traveled to Seattle in 2025 under the direction of Chinese officials. Authorities allege she later provided those officials with photographs, video footage and license plate information involving Lai’s son and his family.

Bill Essayli, first assistant U.S. attorney for the Central District of California, said Zhang allegedly used methods designed to conceal her activities. Prosecutors also said she failed to notify the U.S. government that she was working on behalf of a foreign government, as required under federal law.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States did not immediately comment on the allegations.

It was also unclear whether Zhang had retained a defense attorney. She is scheduled to appear Monday in federal court in Los Angeles.

The case comes amid persistent tensions between Beijing and Taipei. Lai and his ruling Democratic Progressive Party have emphasized Taiwan’s distinct identity, drawing criticism from China, which claims the democratically governed island as part of its territory.

The United States does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan. However, Washington remains Taiwan’s most significant international supporter and a major supplier of weapons to the island.