A California realtor, Wanying Zhang, 34, was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday on charges of acting as an unregistered agent for the People's Republic of China. Federal authorities allege Zhang, also known as "Heather," conducted surveillance on a close relative of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te at the direction of Chinese government officials.
According to an FBI affidavit, Zhang made multiple trips to China and traveled to Seattle in September 2025, where she allegedly surveilled Ting-Yu Lai, an engineer based in the U.S. Text messages obtained from Zhang's iCloud account reportedly show her communicating with individuals believed to be Chinese government officials, discussing assignments that culminated in the surveillance operation. In one exchange, Zhang allegedly informed an official, "It's that young one," after spotting Lai.
Federal prosecutors claim Zhang photographed Lai's Seattle residence and sent the images, along with license plate information, to her alleged handlers. She is also accused of using tradecraft to avoid detection during her trips and surveillance activities. The complaint details communications between Zhang and an alleged Chinese government official dating back to at least September 2022, covering topics from personal life to geopolitical differences.
Before her arrest, Zhang appeared to maintain a jet-setting lifestyle, documenting trips to Paris and other West Coast outings on social media. She is believed to have graduated from the University of Southern California, where annual costs can exceed $75,000. Her husband, Edric Ding, also a realtor, has not commented on the matter.
Zhang's arrest comes amid a series of cases in California involving allegations of covert Chinese government activity. In March, former Arcadia Mayor Eileen Wang pleaded guilty to acting as an illegal agent for the PRC. In August, newly released FBI files shed light on a past relationship between former Rep. Eric Swalwell and Christine Fang, a woman suspected of working for Chinese intelligence.