California Real Estate Agent Accused of Spying for China Seeks Release

A California real estate agent, Wanying Zhang, has sought release from federal custody after being accused of gathering information on a Taiwanese president’s relative for the Chinese government. Zhang offered over $800,000 in property equity and financial guarantees as she contested prosecutors’ claims of her being a flight risk.

Zhang, 34, residing in Irvine, was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport while preparing to fly to China. She faces a charge of acting as an unregistered foreign agent. Her attorney, Craig Harbaugh, stated that Zhang came to the U.S. in 2014, became a citizen in 2020, and has worked in Orange County’s real estate sector for nearly ten years. She lives with her husband and two daughters, aged 8 and 5.

The defense suggested using an Irvine property with at least $700,000 equity, along with $120,000 in financial guarantees from her family, to secure her release. They also proposed GPS-monitored home detention, surrendering travel documents, and restrictions on travel and contact with involved parties.

Pretrial Services had recommended detention due to concerns over Zhang’s potential court appearance failure. However, the defense argued that strict release conditions would mitigate these concerns. Zhang’s lawyers disputed the relevance of her one-way ticket to China, explaining that she often purchased separate outbound and return flights. The filing noted she traveled to China, France, and Japan in the past year, always returning to the U.S.

The trip in question was intended for visiting her mother, postponed due to her daughters’ birthdays. The criminal complaint alleges Zhang was part of a September 2025 surveillance operation near Seattle, photographing a relative of a Taiwanese official. An FBI affidavit indicated security footage showing Zhang and another individual involved in this activity.

Authorities claim she provided photographs and other data to a suspected Chinese government official through electronic communications. Zhang is linked to China’s University of International Relations in Beijing, which the FBI associates with Chinese intelligence. Her attorneys assert her intention to prove innocence.

If convicted, Zhang could face up to 10 years in federal prison.