The sibling of a University of Waterloo student detained in an FBI counter-intelligence inquiry has rejected claims that her brother is knowingly engaged in espionage for Beijing.
In a social media post, Meixuan Wang dismissed the notion, stating, “If my brother is a Chinese spy, then I’m Trump’s father.”
The student, Weiheng Zeng, a Chinese national and University of Waterloo attendee, was apprehended while trying to cross the U.S. border from Windsor, Ont., last month. He faces charges of providing false information.
Zeng reportedly confessed to accepting paid “taskings” from an individual he believed was linked to a Chinese security service, according to a criminal complaint filed in a Michigan court. The complaint includes security footage showing a man attempting to access a locked FedEx truck and taking photos at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport in April.
Zeng admitted to photographing aircraft and tail numbers at the request of his unidentified contact, receiving $20-30 US per picture. The complaint also alleges that Zeng trespassed and took photos at a FedEx facility at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport at the behest of the same individual.
The prosecutor labeled the accusations as “espionage-type activities,” with the case still under investigation, as per U.S. Attorney’s Office spokesperson Gina Balaya.
Zeng, who identifies as “Billy” on his public Instagram account and describes himself as a “photography lover,” faces allegations of spying after purportedly accessing U.S. and Canadian airport facilities to photograph planes.
His sister, Jade Wang, mentioned that Zeng has a fascination with airplanes and autism spectrum disorder, suggesting he might not have comprehended the severity of the situation during questioning by U.S. border officials.
Zeng’s lawyer declined to comment, and he is set for another court appearance next week while remaining in custody without seeking release on bond.
Authorities are investigating the case, with the RCMP acknowledging awareness but refraining from disclosing involvement in the FBI’s probe. CSIS directed inquiries to the RCMP.
Experts suggest that foreign intelligence agencies often leverage students abroad to collect valuable information, emphasizing the need for caution in such situations.
The Chinese Embassy in Ottawa has refuted claims of a “China spy threat,” denouncing speculations against China. Former CSIS chief of the Asia-Pacific unit, Michel Juneau-Katsuya, highlighted the distinction between spies and individuals recruited to perform tasks for intelligence agencies, suggesting Zeng might fall into the latter category.