A Southern California real estate agent accused of spying for China pleaded not guilty Friday to federal charges in Los Angeles. Wanying Zhang, 34, also known as Heather, denied allegations that she surveilled the son of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te in a Seattle suburb last year.
The plea hearing in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles marked the first public court appearance for Zhang since her arrest at Los Angeles International Airport on Sept. 12, 2025. Prosecutors allege she acted as an unregistered foreign agent for China and conspired to gather intelligence on a high-ranking Taiwanese official’s relative.
Key developments confirmed in court
Zhang’s trial is tentatively scheduled to begin Nov. 30, 2025, at a federal courthouse in Santa Ana, California, with proceedings expected to last four days. A pretrial hearing has been set for Nov. 12, 2025. Zhang was detained without bail following her arrest while attempting to board a flight to China.
Allegations and timeline of events
Prosecutors allege Zhang’s alleged espionage operation began with meetings in China in June 2025, where she received instructions to conduct surveillance in the United States. On Aug. 29, 2025, Zhang and a male companion, identified in court filings as Fatai Miao, a construction entrepreneur, traveled from John Wayne Airport in Orange County to Las Vegas. Three days later, they flew to the state where the target resided, according to prosecutors.
During the trip, Zhang sent a Chinese official a photograph of her boarding pass along with a message stating, “Boarding now.” Upon arrival, the pair rented a vehicle and drove to the residence of the target, a young male relative of a high-ranking Taiwanese official. A home security camera recorded Zhang and Miao inside a vehicle near the property.
Zhang allegedly messaged the official, “Saw him, young male, it’s the young one,” and later replied to a request for an audio call by stating, “I am videorecording.” Prosecutors also claim she sent license plate numbers of two vehicles parked outside the home to the official.
The Taiwanese president’s son, Lai Ting-yu, has been identified as the target of the surveillance. Zhang is presumed innocent unless proven guilty and faces up to 10 years in federal prison if convicted on the single count of acting as an unregistered foreign agent.
Background and related developments
Zhang and her husband, Edric Ding, are licensed real estate agents in Irvine, California, and have worked together at the same firm. Ding did not appear at Friday’s hearing. Court filings allege Zhang was having an affair with Miao, who has since left the U.S. for China. Miao’s son told CBS News he does not believe his father was working for the Chinese government, and Miao has not been charged with any crime.
The case is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. Both prosecutors and Zhang’s attorney, Craig Harbaugh, declined to comment following the hearing. The judge overseeing the case has not yet ruled on any motions or requests related to the proceedings.