Chinese Student Allegedly Spied for Government by Photographing U.S. Airports

A Chinese student studying in Canada is facing serious allegations after reportedly crossing into the U.S. to take photographs of sensitive airport facilities at the behest of a person believed to be linked to the Chinese government. The case, which has come to light through recent court documents, reveals the troubling intersection of international education and espionage.

The student, identified as Weiheng Zeng, is an undergraduate at the University of Waterloo in Ontario. According to an FBI affidavit, Zeng has made approximately two dozen trips into the U.S. since 2022. His involvement came under scrutiny when he was spotted in a FedEx employee parking lot at O'Hare International Airport in April, seemingly photographing aircraft.

Authorities tracked Zeng’s movements, noting his use of a dark blue Chrysler Town & Country vehicle. Upon attempting re-entry into the U.S. last Sunday, Customs and Border Protection agents conducted a thorough interview. Initially claiming he was on a trip with family and friends, Zeng's story quickly unraveled when numerous aircraft photos were found on his phone.

While Zeng initially framed his activities as a hobby, he eventually admitted to receiving payments from a “Chinese Contact” for specific photography assignments. This contact, whom he believed was affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party, allegedly instructed him to destroy communication SIM cards and other evidence of their interactions.

Over the course of 18 months, Zeng accepted a limited number of tasks, including capturing images of a unique United Airlines aircraft. He reportedly earned about $500 for his work, but his contact expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of the photos.

Source: www.404media.co