US Attorney Discusses Chinese Espionage Activities in the US

<p>First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli stated that Chinese espionage is "extremely pervasive" in the U.S. following the arrest of an alleged Chinese agent in Los Angeles this month.</p><p>In an interview with Fox News Digital, Essayli mentioned that his office has pressed charges against several alleged Chinese spies in recent months, indicating that Beijing is actively attempting to increase its influence within the U.S.</p><p>"I think it's extremely pervasive," Essayli said regarding Chinese espionage. "China is one of our biggest adversaries, and they're committed to advancing their interests. And they're playing the long game, and so they are willing to put a lot of resources into developing sources, recruiting people within the U.S. to advance their interests."</p><p>Essayli further commented, "They're willing to steal our technology; they're willing to engage in espionage here. So, there's no limit to what China is willing to do. It is a huge, huge concern. We have to be vigilant, and we have to disrupt these operations on our soil. We have to protect our sovereignty."</p><p>He provided examples of recent cases, including one involving a woman from Irvine who was engaged in espionage against a family member of the Taiwanese president. He also mentioned an individual arrested for selling over $300 million in semiconductor chips to China, and a local mayor charged for acting as an unregistered agent of China.</p><p>"So, it's extremely pervasive. It's a huge problem, but the FBI is on it," he said. "They have entire squads dedicated to combating this, and we're committed here at the U.S. Attorney's Office to supporting those investigations and bringing criminal charges to disrupt these operations."</p><p>Wanying Zhang, 34, of Irvine, was arrested earlier this month for allegedly working with an associate to photograph and record a family outside their Seattle-area home, according to a criminal complaint obtained by Fox News Digital.</p><p>Authorities arrested Zhang at the Los Angeles airport as she attempted to board a plane to China. Essayli stated that FBI Los Angeles agents arrested Zhang on a federal charge of acting as an unregistered agent of the People’s Republic of China.</p><p>She allegedly traveled to Seattle in 2025 at the direction of Chinese officials and sent them photos, videos, and license plate information.</p><p>"She coordinated the trip with an associate and used tradecraft to avoid detection," Essayli wrote. "She never notified the attorney general she was acting for a foreign government, a federal offense."</p><p>Speaking on "The Big Weekend Show" Sunday, Essayli confirmed that Zhang is a naturalized U.S. citizen and that the alleged surveillance targeted a relative of Taiwan’s president.</p><p>"She was conducting surveillance on behalf of the Chinese government. She was acting as a foreign agent," Essayli said. "And she was spying on a relative of the president of Taiwan here in the U.S."</p><p>The alleged target was Ting-Yu Lai, the U.S.-based son of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, as reported by CBS News citing law enforcement sources. The complaint does not name him.</p><p>"Saw him. Young male. It’s that young one," Zhang allegedly messaged a Chinese government contact while outside the home.</p><p>"I am video recording," she allegedly added before sending two license plate numbers.</p>