In November 2021, Matthew Ziburis, an ex-serviceman from Iraq, was dispatched by the Chinese government to stalk Arthur Liu and his daughter Alysa in California. As Arthur, a former Tiananmen Square protester, and Alysa, a rising figure skater, prepared for their Olympic journey, they found themselves under constant surveillance.

The saga unfolded across continents, implicating New York fixers and even touching the halls of Congress. Two years later, Ziburis pleaded guilty to working illegally as an agent of China, while his client Frank Liu maintains his innocence despite legal troubles that seem curiously linked to a Trump-focused foundation.

Alysa’s Olympic triumph in Beijing marked both a personal victory and renewed interest in the case. As human rights advocates continue their investigations, this tale serves as a stark reminder of the global reach of Chinese espionage.