Chinese student in Canada held in US airport photo case
SingTao · 2 SOURCESabout 4 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
A Chinese national studying in Canada, identified as Weiheng Zeng, was arrested by US authorities after an investigation into photographs taken at airport-related sites in Toronto and Chicago. According to FBI charging documents cited in the reports, Zeng admitted he was directed by a China-based contact to photograph specific aircraft and tail numbers in exchange for payment. He was arrested in Michigan after entering the United States by land from Ontario and is currently charged with making false statements. The case drew attention after surveillance footage allegedly showed him photographing facilities at a FedEx parking area near Chicago and trying to access locked vehicles or containers
Key Points
- Sing Tao, citing CBC and FBI charging papers, said Zeng was born in 2004 and is a Chinese student studying in Canada
- In April, surveillance cameras allegedly recorded him in a FedEx parking area at a Chicago airport, climbing onto a forklift for a better photo angle
- Investigators said a China-based contact asked him in October last year to photograph the FedEx facility at Toronto Pearson International Airport
- Zeng said he sent exterior photos after being noticed by staff in Toronto and received about US$200 for the images
- Authorities said new Chinese SIM cards were sent every four to five months, with instructions to use a Chinese-made phone, then destroy the card and delete chats and photos
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the case shows how aviation photography, cross-border travel and digital communications can quickly become part of a national-security investigation when authorities suspect covert tasking. It also underlines the legal risks facing students and travellers moving between Canada and the United States if investigators believe false explanations were given at the border or during questioning.