Zhang Wanying, who was suspected of following Lai Ching-tak's eldest son, was arrested by the FBI in Los Angeles. When she first appeared in court, her hands and feet were restrained. The detention hearing was postponed to Wednesday.

Zhang Wanying, who is suspected of following Lai Qingde's eldest son, was arrested by the FBI at Los Angeles International Airport on October 4 and was escorted away. Handcuffs were visible on her hands. When Zhang Wanying appeared in court for the first time on the 5th, her wrists and ankles were restrained, and the detention hearing was postponed to Wednesday. (Photo taken from U.S. Department of Justice/FBI)

The case of Wanying "Heather" Zhang, a Chinese agent suspected of following Taiwan President Lai Ting-te's eldest son Lai Ting-ho in the United States, has entered judicial proceedings. CBS reported that 34-year-old Chinese-American woman Zhang Wanying appeared in Los Angeles federal court for the first time on the 5th. When she appeared in court, her hands were handcuffed and her feet were shackled. She only briefly confirmed her name in court and expressed her understanding of the charges raised by the prosecutor.

The hearing was very brief. The federal magistrate in charge announced on the same day that the originally scheduled detention hearing (Detention Hearing) would be postponed to the afternoon of Wednesday (7th) so that Zhang Wanying would have sufficient time to find and appoint a private criminal defense lawyer. Prior to this, Zhang Wanying was temporarily detained by the U.S. Marshals Service and had not yet been granted bail.

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Accused of being an illegal agent, facing 10 years in prison

According to the criminal indictment recently submitted by the FBI, Zhang Wanying is suspected of secretly accepting instructions from Chinese government officials without registering with the U.S. Department of Justice, and went to Seattle, Washington to closely follow Lai Ting and his family, photographed the car's license plate, and reported to Chinese personnel through encrypted channels. Zhang Wanying was intercepted and arrested on the spot by FBI agents before she was about to board a flight to Shanghai at Los Angeles International Airport on the 4th.

Bill Essayli, the First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, pointed out that Zhang Wanying was charged with violating Section 951 of Title 18 of the United States Code, "Failure to Register a Foreign Government Agent," and other crimes. If convicted without trial, she will face up to 10 years in federal prison.

Wednesday's detention hearing will be the next judicial procedural node in the case, and will deal with whether Zhang Wanying continues to be detained and related bail issues.

Zhang Wanying faces up to 10 years in federal prison for charges such as "failure to register as a foreign government agent." (Photo taken from U.S. Department of Justice/FBI)