China's Espionage Network in US Growing, Experts Warn

The arrest of Wanying “Heather” Zhang, a Southern California realtor accused of spying for China, is indicative of a widening network of individuals in the U.S. working for Beijing, experts told The Post. In the past year, China has been accused of recruiting at least 10 individuals to conduct espionage within the United States, signaling a ramped-up effort by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Andrew Harding of The Heritage Foundation described the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) espionage activities in the U.S. as operating on an “industrial scale,” driven by its Ministry of State Security. He noted that businesses, Chinese students targeted for specialized courses, and even tourists have been exploited to gather intelligence. Harding pointed out that Chinese-American communities and sympathetic groups are often leveraged in these operations, with the ultimate goal of undermining American innovation and influence.

This case follows a pattern of recent indictments and convictions related to Chinese espionage. In May 2026, Eileen Wang, the former mayor of Arcadia, California, pleaded guilty to acting as an illegal agent for the CCP. Her former fiancé, Mike Sun, admitted to orchestrating Wang’s election victory and reporting on her success to Chinese intelligence. He was sentenced to four years in prison.

Another case involved Thomas Weir Pauken II, a U.S. journalist who was sentenced to two years in prison for acting as a Chinese agent. Prosecutors stated Pauken received at least $100,000 from China and attempted to provide a laptop, phone, and money to an individual seeking a position in the Trump administration, intending for reports to be sent to Chinese President Xi Jinping.

In January 2026, former U.S. Navy sailor Jinchao Wei received a 16-year sentence for selling sensitive ship information to the Chinese government. Wei was encouraged by his mother in this endeavor.

David Shedd, former acting director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, stated that China’s spy network in the U.S. is “very widespread” and that the country has become a “first-world intelligence espionage service.” He expressed concern over their adaptability and commitment to espionage. Shedd believes the U.S. is underestimating the scope of China's intelligence network and its pervasive interest in all aspects of American life.

Yaqiu Wang, a human rights expert, noted that the PRC employs pressure tactics, including threats against family members in China, to compel compliance from individuals in the U.S. She also indicated that some individuals voluntarily provide information to curry favor with the Chinese government. Wang suggested that the U.S. government is not adequately protecting its citizens or investing enough resources to counter these activities.

Experts agree that China's espionage efforts are increasingly sophisticated and widespread, targeting various sectors and levels of American society. The goal, according to Harding, is a comprehensive effort by the CCP to erode the American way of life and diminish U.S. innovation and global standing.