US Arrests Woman Accused Of Spying On Taiwan President’s Family For China

A woman accused of spying on the family of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te on behalf of China has been arrested in the United States, US and Taiwanese officials said.

Wanying Zhang, 34, was arrested by the FBI at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday while allegedly attempting to leave the United States for China.

First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli said Zhang was accused of acting as an unregistered agent of China and conducting surveillance on a close relative of a Taiwanese government official in the US.

According to the FBI, Zhang allegedly monitored Lai’s son and his family, filming their home and vehicles and sending information to Chinese handlers.

Essayli said Zhang travelled to Seattle in 2025 and, allegedly acting under the direction of Chinese officials, sent them photographs, videos and vehicle licence plate information.

FBI Director Kash Patel welcomed the arrest, warning foreign governments against conducting espionage operations on US soil.

Taiwan’s Presidential Office confirmed that the president’s family had been targeted and condemned what it described as “transnational repression.”

Presidential Office spokeswoman Karen Kuo thanked US authorities for their assistance and protection of Taiwanese citizens, saying such activities should not be tolerated.

Lai, who was elected president in January 2024, has strongly defended Taiwan’s sovereignty, a position opposed by Beijing.

China regards Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to bring the island under its control.

Zhang, who lives in Irvine, California, allegedly coordinated her trip with an associate and used methods intended to avoid detection, according to Essayli.

She is expected to make her initial appearance in federal court on Monday.