US arrests woman accused of spying on Lai Ching-te family

US authorities arrested a woman accused of spying for China on Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's son and his family in the United States, US and Taiwanese officials said.

Wanying Zhang, 34, was detained by the FBI at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday while attempting to leave for China, First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli said.

Essayli said Zhang was accused of acting as an unregistered agent of China and spying on a close relative of a Taiwanese government official in the United States. He said she travelled to Seattle in 2025 and, acting at the direction of Chinese officials, sent photos, videos and licence plate information to them.

The FBI said Zhang allegedly surveilled Lai's son and family, filming their home and vehicles and reporting information to handlers in the People's Republic of China.

Lai's office confirmed that the president's family was targeted and described the case as transnational repression. Presidential Office spokeswoman Karen Kuo condemned what she called “barbaric acts” and thanked US judicial authorities for helping protect Taiwanese citizens.

Zhang, who lives in Irvine, California, was expected to make her first federal court appearance on Monday.

China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has threatened to use force to annex the island. Lai, elected president in January 2024, is an outspoken defender of Taiwan's sovereignty and is strongly opposed by Chinese leaders.