US charges woman over alleged China spying

Federal authorities arrested Wanying Zhang, 34, at Los Angeles International Airport before a planned flight to Shanghai and charged her with acting as an unregistered foreign agent. They allege she surveilled Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's son in the United States for Chinese officials, including during a Seattle trip.

• 34Age of accused woman
• 2025Year of Seattle surveillance trip
• 6 OctScheduled federal court appearance in Los Angeles

Q1

What evidence did authorities cite?

Authorities stated that she sent photos, videos and license-plate information to Chinese officials during a 2025 surveillance trip in Seattle.

Q2

Why did Taiwan call it repression?

Taiwan's presidential office cited human rights and national sovereignty, called it transnational repression, and thanked Washington for protecting Taiwanese citizens.

Q3

Where is Zhang due in court?

She was scheduled to appear in the US District Court for the Central District of California on Monday afternoon.

Q4

What message did the FBI send?

The FBI director stated that the United States would not be a safe place for foreign espionage operations against democratic allies.

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