In 2023, California realtor Wanying “Heather” Zhang participated in a San Francisco event marking the visit of President Xi Jinping. Wearing a red cap, she marched with a leader from a Chinese-American organization linked to Beijing’s foreign influence sector. Although there is no evidence of Zhang’s involvement in any attacks, pro-Chinese Communist Party activists assaulted protesters opposing Xi’s regime shortly afterward.
The 34-year-old mother from Orange County now faces federal charges for allegedly surveilling the Taiwanese president’s son in Washington under Chinese government directives. The FBI obtained her communications with Chinese intelligence, outlining plans to clandestinely film Lai Ting-yu and his family in their Seattle suburb home. A neighbor’s security footage reportedly captured Zhang during this surveillance mission.
A CBS News investigation highlights parallels between Zhang and previous suspected spy Fang “Christine” Fang, who fled the U.S. in 2015. Both attended the Beijing-based University of International Relations, affiliated with China’s Ministry of State Security. After relocating to the U.S., Zhang studied at the University of Southern California, earning a real estate license in 2016. Her listings included over 130 properties through Irvine’s JC Pacific Corp, some over $8 million.
Zhang’s Instagram displays designer attire, upscale dining, and trips across North America and Paris. Similar to Fang, she became active in Chinese American advocacy groups. In 2022, she attended a “young entrepreneur” event and met with Chinese officials. Her involvement in the All American Chinese Association (AACA) connected her to individuals with substantial ties to the Chinese government.
AACA’s leader Cai Chenghua, who once co-organized China’s National Day celebration in Los Angeles, aligned with Beijing’s policy opposing “Taiwan independence.” The organization transported pro-China supporters to President Xi’s 2023 visit in San Francisco. Zhang was seen with Cai, sporting red caps under an AACA banner.
AACA linked individuals are often mentioned in U.S. foreign-agent investigations. Jacqueline Deal of State Armor, a security consultancy, notes that organizations connected to the Communist Party’s United Front aim to aid China while harming U.S. interests. Zhang allegedly failed to register as a Chinese agent under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, a federal violation. Cai has not been accused of any crimes.
By 2025, prosecutors assert Zhang had fully embraced her role as a Chinese spy. In January, she met a government official in China. Records show her discussing a Taiwanese dissident’s address on WeChat. During a June visit, she reportedly met another official, receiving instructions to surveil the Taiwanese president’s son, later texting her contact, “I can take care of this thing.” After allegedly filming Lai’s family, she returned to Los Angeles.
The FBI arrested Zhang at Los Angeles International Airport, the Department of Justice stated. She wore designer workout clothing from her arrest when appearing in court. Her family offered no comments.
“The complaint in this case reveals a blatant plan by the Chinese government to conduct covert surveillance on U.S. soil targeting close relatives of a Taiwanese official,” said Roman Rozhavsky, FBI’s Counterintelligence Division assistant director.
He added that the arrest underscores China’s authoritarian regime’s lengths to further its objectives. Taiwan’s president expressed gratitude to the U.S. judicial agency for defending their citizens, condemning “suppression, intimidation, and harm to freedom and democracy.” Taiwan continues cooperating with democratic allies against cross-border repression. China’s Foreign Ministry declined to comment, but a spokesperson criticized allegations of “China spying.”
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