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Agro-terrorism / Two Chinese scientists caught trying to bring banned crop-infecting fungus into the US

2025-06-04 16:16:20Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Agro-terrorism / Two Chinese scientists caught trying to bring banned
Yunqing Jian

Two Chinese scientists have been arrested for smuggling into the United States a toxic mushroom that could be used as an "agroterrorism weapon."

Yunqing Jian, a 33-year-old scientist at the University of Michigan, and her boyfriend, 34-year-old Zunyong Liu, are accused of smuggling a fungus called Fusarium graminearum .

The fungus can infect crops such as wheat, barley and rice with "head blight", and then cause vomiting, liver damage and reproductive defects in humans and livestock.

The FBI said Fusarium graminearum is classified in scientific literature as a "potential agroterrorism weapon."

"It is responsible for billions of dollars in economic losses worldwide each year," the US attorney's office statement added.

The investigation also found that Jian had "received funding from the Chinese government for similar work on this pathogen in China," according to a post on X by FBI Director Kash Patel.

"The alleged actions of these Chinese nationals - including a loyal member of the Chinese Communist Party - are of the most serious national security concerns," said U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon Jr.

Particularly disturbing was an article that authorities found on Liu's phone titled "War Between Plant Pathogens in Changing Climate Conditions."

Liu worked at a Chinese university where he conducted research on the toxic pathogen, authorities claimed.

It is alleged that he had attempted to smuggle the mushrooms through Detroit airport in July 2024 in order to continue his research with Jia at the University of Michigan.

However, authorities found the red plant material in his bag and sent him back to China. Given that the US and China do not have an extradition treaty, it is unlikely that Liu will face charges unless he chooses to return to the US.

Messages between Jian and Liu in 2024 suggest that Jian was already working with Fusarium graminearum at the University of Michigan before Liu was captured in Detroit, the FBI said.

Jian appeared in court and was returned to jail as she awaits her bail hearing on Thursday. Reporters were not allowed into the courtroom, but reports said she was handcuffed and tied around the waist and appeared visibly frightened as the charges were read.

A search of Jian's cellphone revealed a form in which she had pledged her support for China's leaders.

"I adhere to the four fundamental principles, support the leadership of the Communist Party of China, resolutely implement the party's educational guidelines and policies, love education, care about students, unite colleagues, love the motherland, and care about national affairs," the signed statement said.

The four principles are: Upholding the socialist road, supporting the people's democratic dictatorship, supporting the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and supporting Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought, known as Maoism.

"This case is a stark reminder that the Chinese Communist Party is working relentlessly to deploy operatives and researchers to infiltrate American institutions and target our food supply, which would have dire consequences... putting American lives and our economy at serious risk," Patel said.

They have been charged with conspiracy, smuggling, making false statements and visa fraud, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.

The university does not have federal permission to treat Fusarium graminearum.

In a statement, the University of Michigan said it had received "no funding from the Chinese government in connection with the research conducted by the accused individuals."

"We strongly condemn any action intended to cause harm, threaten national security, or undermine the university's critical public mission," the university said.

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