FBI concerned that alleged Chinese agent is a serious flight risk, sources say

Key Points:

• Wanying Zhang, a California realtor and alleged Chinese agent, was arrested at LAX while attempting to board a flight to Shanghai and faces federal charges for allegedly surveilling the Taiwanese president's son under direction from Chinese officials.
• The FBI fears Zhang may flee the country if released after her upcoming court hearing on Wednesday, citing her strong ties to China, including family members living there and ownership of a business and bank accounts in China.
• Zhang attended the University of International Relations in Beijing, a school run by China's Ministry of State Security, and was reportedly one of the top students, suggesting potential recruitment by Chinese intelligence.
• She has connections to the All American Chinese Association, a pro-China advocacy group linked to the Chinese government, and was present at an event during Chinese President Xi Jinping's 2023 visit to San Francisco.
• Zhang is currently in U.S. Marshals custody, represented by a public defender, with a judge ordering her to secure private legal counsel by her detention hearing; her husband and sister have declined to comment on the case.