FBI arrests a woman accused of spying on Taiwan leader's family for China

BANGKOK — The FBI arrested a woman at Los Angeles International Airport as she was leaving the country and accused her of spying on the Taiwan president's family for China. Wanying Zhang, also know as Heather, surveilled the Taiwanese president's son and his family for the Chinese government while in the United States, according to the FBI. S. State Attorney Bill Essayli announced on social media. Zhang took photos and videos of her targets and sent license plate information to Chinese officials, he said. Zhang was arrested as she was departing for a flight to China. Her nationality was not clear, and an attorney who represents her could not be determined. She was due to appear Monday in federal court in Los Angeles. " "Taiwan condemns in the strongest terms such barbaric acts — which disregard human rights and national sovereignty and aim to suppress, threaten, or even harm individuals advocating for freedom and democracy or their families — as such behavior should not be tolerated in the civilized world," spokesperson Karen Kuo said in a statement. S. did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday and the Foreign Ministry in Beijing was closed for holidays. Taiwan and China split after a civil war in 1949, but Beijing claims the island as part of its own territory. " While in office, Lai has stepped up spending on defense for Taiwan, notably pledging to increase defense spending from 3% to 5% of the GDP, and pushing through a special budget for the construction of a T-Dome air defense system.