US authorities have arrested a California woman accused of conducting surveillance on members of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s family on behalf of Chinese officials.
Wanying Zhang, 34, was arrested by the FBI at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday as she allegedly attempted to travel to China.
First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli said Zhang was accused of acting as an unregistered agent of China and carrying out surveillance targeting a close relative of a Taiwanese government official.
According to the FBI, Zhang targeted Lai’s son and his family, photographing and recording their residence and vehicles and allegedly sending the information to Chinese handlers.
Essayli said Zhang travelled to Seattle in 2025, where she allegedly acted under the direction of Chinese officials and provided photographs, videos and vehicle licence plate information.
He added that she coordinated the trip with an associate and took measures allegedly intended to avoid detection.
FBI Director Kash Patel welcomed the arrest and warned foreign governments against conducting espionage activities on US soil.
“America is no longer a safe place to run your espionage operations,” Patel said in a post on X.
Taiwan’s Presidential Office confirmed that members of Lai’s family had been targeted and condemned the alleged operation as an act of “transnational repression.”
Presidential Office spokeswoman Karen Kuo thanked US authorities for their assistance and protection of Taiwanese citizens.
“Such behaviour should not be tolerated in the civilised world,” Kuo said.
Lai, who was elected president in January 2024, has maintained a strong position in defence of Taiwan’s sovereignty, drawing opposition from Beijing.
China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out using force to bring the island under its control.
Taiwanese authorities have also warned citizens about security risks associated with travel and activities in China and other countries.
Zhang, who resides in Irvine, California, is expected to make her initial appearance in federal court on Monday.
The allegations against her remain accusations and have not been proven in court.
