By Belize Live News Staff: A California real estate agent has been arrested and charged with secretly spying for China on the family of Taiwan’s President.
Wanying Zhang, 34, of Irvine, also known as Heather, was arrested Sunday at Los Angeles International Airport as she prepared to board a flight to China. She faces charges of acting as an unregistered agent of the Chinese Government.
According to a federal criminal complaint, Zhang and another person travelled to Seattle on September 1, 2025, on the direction of Chinese officials and conducted surveillance outside the home of the target. A neighbour’s security camera allegedly recorded the pair filming the family from a vehicle.
Prosecutors say Zhang then sent photos, videos and licence plate information to a Chinese official.
While the complaint does not name the target, the FBI said it was the son of Taiwan President Lai Ching-te. His elder son lives and works as an engineer in the Seattle area.
Investigators also allege Zhang studied at a Beijing university closely tied to China’s intelligence services and stayed in touch with a former classmate who became a Chinese Government official.
Zhang is a naturalized US citizen. She was scheduled to appear in federal court in Los Angeles on Monday. The allegations have not been proven in court.
