FBI Detains California Woman in US for Alleged Surveillance of Taiwan President’s Son for China

U.S. federal authorities detained a California resident at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday, alleging she had monitored the son of Taiwan’s president on behalf of Chinese officials, according to the FBI.

The FBI said it arrested Wanying Zhang, also known as Heather, 34, of Irvine, before she planned to depart for China. She was charged with acting as an unregistered foreign agent.

The agency alleged that Zhang surveilled Lai Ting-yu, the son of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, although it did not initially identify him in its statement. The FBI later cited a New York Post report naming the U.S.-based target.

Taiwan’s presidential office called the alleged surveillance a “typical case of transnational repression” and praised the United States for protecting Taiwanese citizens.

“Our country expresses the strongest condemnation of such barbaric conduct that disregards human rights and the sovereignty of nations,” spokesperson Karen Kuo said.

China’s foreign ministry did not respond to a request for comment.

The Justice Department said Zhang traveled to Seattle in 2025 at the direction of Chinese officials and provided them with photographs, video and license plate information related to the Taiwanese president’s son and his family.

Bill Essayli, the first assistant U.S. attorney for the Central District of California, said Zhang allegedly employed tradecraft to avoid detection and failed to notify the U.S. government that she was acting for a foreign power.

It was not immediately clear whether Zhang has retained a defense attorney. Essayli said she was expected to appear Monday in federal court in Los Angeles.

President Lai and his Democratic Progressive Party have promoted Taiwan’s distinct identity from China, a stance that has long infuriated Beijing, which regards the island as part of Chinese territory. Lai has said only Taiwan’s residents can determine the island’s future.

Although Washington maintains no formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, the United States remains the island’s most significant international supporter and arms supplier.

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