The FBI arrested Wanying Zhang, a 34-year-old California resident, at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday before her planned departure to China. Authorities charged Zhang, also known as Heather and from Irvine, California, with acting as an unregistered foreign agent.
According to the FBI, Zhang is accused of spying on the son of Taiwan's president at the direction of Chinese officials. The arrest took place as Zhang was preparing to board a flight to China.
The case underscores ongoing tensions between the United States, China and Taiwan over intelligence gathering and espionage operations. It also reflects deepening US concern about foreign intelligence operatives recruiting individuals within American territory to conduct surveillance on foreign nationals, including those with high-profile family connections.