Wanying Zhang arrested for alleged spying on Taiwan president's son

Wanying Zhang, a real estate agent accused of spying for China, was arrested at LAX while attempting to board a flight to Shanghai. Prosecutors allege that Zhang surveilled Ting-Yu Lai, the son of Taiwanese President Ching-te Lai, during a trip to Seattle in September 2025.

Federal investigators have identified Fatai Miao, a Chinese-born construction entrepreneur from Southern California, as a person of interest. Sources indicate Miao is the lover of Zhang and allegedly accompanied her to Seattle. Prosecutors stated in court that Miao, referred to as ‘Individual 1’, took a one-way flight to China two weeks ago. The FBI recently searched Miao’s residence in Irvine.

During a recent court hearing in Los Angeles, prosecutors alleged that Zhang had access to a secret Chinese cryptocurrency account containing $190,000 in profits. They also noted that Zhang’s brother has ties to the Chinese government.