The Federal Bureau of Investigation has arrested a 34-year-old California real estate agent accused of acting as an unregistered agent for China and conducting surveillance on the family of Taiwan President Lai Ching-te in the United States.

Wanying Zhang, also known as Heather, was arrested on Sunday at Los Angeles International Airport as she prepared to board a flight to China.

U.S. authorities allege that Zhang surveilled the Taiwanese president’s son and his family and sent photographs, videos and vehicle licence plate information to Chinese officials.

Arrest at Los Angeles Airport

Zhang, who is from Irvine, California, was taken into custody by FBI agents at Los Angeles International Airport before her planned departure for China.

U.S. authorities charged her with acting as an unregistered foreign agent, a federal offence requiring individuals working on behalf of a foreign government to register with the U.S. government.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli announced the arrest and accused Zhang of working on behalf of Chinese officials without registering as required by law.

Zhang appeared in federal court in Los Angeles following her arrest. She did not enter a plea at the initial hearing, and a later hearing was scheduled to determine whether she would remain in custody or be granted bail. It was not immediately clear whether she had retained a lawyer.

Alleged Surveillance of Taiwan President’s Family

According to the FBI and federal prosecutors, Zhang travelled to Seattle in September 2025 with another individual and allegedly monitored the home of a close relative of a senior Taiwanese government official.

The FBI later identified the target as a son of President Lai.

Investigators allege that Zhang and the other individual photographed or recorded the target, his wife and their child as they arrived at their home.

She allegedly transmitted information about vehicles, including licence plate numbers, to Chinese officials.

The criminal complaint reportedly alleges that Zhang communicated with individuals she knew or believed were connected to the Chinese government.

Investigators said messages recovered from her accounts indicated that she had been in contact with Chinese officials before and after the alleged surveillance operation.

Alleged Link to Chinese Officials

The FBI alleges that Zhang was introduced to a Chinese government official in 2025 through a former classmate.

Investigators further alleged that she later travelled to China, where she met the official and received instructions connected to the surveillance mission.

According to the complaint, Zhang subsequently communicated with the official about travelling to Seattle and carrying out the assignment.

U.S. authorities have described the alleged activities as part of an effort to gather information about the Taiwanese president’s family while they were living in the United States.

The FBI has not alleged that Zhang physically harmed anyone.

Taiwan Confirms Family Was Targeted

Taiwan’s Presidential Office confirmed that relatives of President Lai were among those targeted.

Taiwanese authorities condemned the alleged surveillance and described it as an example of what they consider transnational repression.

The case comes amid longstanding tensions between Taiwan and China, with Beijing claiming Taiwan as part of its territory while Taiwan maintains its own government and democratic institutions.

Investigation Continues

Zhang remains accused, rather than convicted, of acting as an unregistered foreign agent.

U.S. authorities are expected to continue investigating her alleged contacts with Chinese officials and the circumstances surrounding the surveillance operation.

The case is being handled in the U.S. federal court system, while authorities have not indicated that anyone else has been charged in connection with the alleged operation.