The sibling of a student from a university in Ontario who was detained as part of an FBI counter-intelligence inquiry has rejected the notion that her brother knowingly engaged in espionage for Beijing.
In a social media statement on Wednesday, Meixuan Wang countered the allegations, saying, “If my brother is a Chinese spy, then I’m Trump’s father.”
The student in question, Weiheng Zeng, a Chinese national born in 2004 and enrolled at the University of Waterloo, was apprehended while trying to cross the U.S. border from Windsor, Ontario, last month and charged with providing false information.
Documents from the court reveal that Zeng confessed to receiving monetary compensation for carrying out assigned tasks from an individual he believed was linked to a Chinese security agency.
The case, lodged in U.S. District Court in Michigan, contains surveillance footage showing a figure scaling a forklift, attempting to access a secured FedEx truck, and capturing images from a parking area at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport in April.
Zeng admitted to investigators that his unidentified contact instructed him to photograph airplanes and their tail numbers in exchange for $20-30 US per picture.
Additionally, the complaint detailed Zeng’s account of trespassing and photographing at a FedEx facility at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport last year at the behest of the same undisclosed individual.
During the court session in Detroit, prosecutor Alyse Wu characterized the actions as activities suggestive of espionage.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office representative, Gina Balaya, mentioned that the case is currently being investigated.
Zeng, who goes by the name Billy on his public Instagram account, where he describes himself as a “photography enthusiast,” is anticipated to complete his studies in Waterloo’s global business and digital arts program by 2028.
His Instagram profile showcases images of planes, including Canadian military aircraft allegedly taken at an air show in 2024.
Wang, also known as Jade, disclosed to the Globe and Mail that her brother has a strong interest in aircraft and has autism spectrum disorder. She indicated that Zeng might not have comprehended the severity of the situation when questioned by U.S. border officials.
Zeng’s court-appointed federal defender, Rhonda Brazile, did not provide a response to queries.
Zeng is set for another court appearance next week, remains in custody, and did not seek release on bail.
While the RCMP confirmed awareness of the case, they refrained from commenting on their involvement in the FBI’s investigation. CSIS directed inquiries to the RCMP.
Margaret McCuaig-Johnston, a member of an Ottawa-based think-tank advisory board, expressed sympathy for Zeng, suggesting he might not have fully understood the implications of his actions.
An unnamed Chinese Embassy representative in Ottawa issued a statement condemning the sensationalizing of the “China spy threat” and unwarranted accusations against China.
Michel Juneau-Katsuya, a former chief of the Asia-Pacific unit for CSIS, explained that individuals paid to carry out tasks for intelligence agencies are referred to as “co-optees,” raising questions about Zeng’s role in the situation.
The investigation continues, examining the circumstances surrounding Zeng’s activities and his alleged involvement in espionage.