US federal prosecutors have charged two Chinese nationals, Jian Yunqing, 33, and Liu Zunyong, 34, with smuggling a toxic fungus into the United States, allegedly intended for research at the University of Michigan. The fungus, Fusarium graminearum, causes “head blight” in crops like wheat, barley, maize, and rice, and can lead to “vomiting, liver damage, and reproductive defects” in humans and livestock.
According to the charges, Liu smuggled the fungus into the US for research purposes, despite it being a potential “potential agroterrorism weapon”. The investigation, carried out by US Customs and Border Protection and the FBI, found that Jian received funding from the Chinese government to research the same fungus in China. Messages on the couple’s phones indicated Jian was aware of the smuggling scheme and later lied to investigators about her knowledge.
FBI Director Kash Patel claimed that China is “working around the clock to deploy operatives and researchers to infiltrate American institutions and target our food supply, which would have grave consequences”. The University of Michigan condemned “any actions that seek to cause harm, threaten national security, or undermine the university’s critical public mission”.
The case comes amid heightened tensions between the US and China, with the US recently pledging to revoke visas for Chinese students with ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has vowed to “firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests” of its students studying overseas. Liu is unlikely to face extradition as the US does not have an extradition treaty with China.
The incident has sparked intense scrutiny over China’s alleged efforts to infiltrate American research institutions, with the FBI emphasizing its commitment to investigating foreign espionage and counterterrorism threats. The University of Michigan has distanced itself from the couple’s actions, reaffirming its stance against any activities that compromise national security or its public mission.
As the case unfolds, Jian faces charges of conspiracy, visa fraud, and providing false statements to investigators, and is set to appear in federal court. Meanwhile, Liu, who was deported back to China after being caught with the fungus, is unlikely to face extradition due to the lack of an extradition treaty between the US and China, raising concerns about the effectiveness of holding him accountable.