US accuses mainland China of targeting Taiwan leader’s family in surveillance case

The United States has accused mainland China of hiring an American citizen of Chinese origin to surveil the family of Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested Zhang Wanying days after Chinese President Xi Jinping made a state visit to Washington. Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary. Most countries, including the US, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the self-governed island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons.