Chinese scientists accused of smuggling “potential agroterrorism weapons” into the United States worked in a University of Michigan lab funded by millions in American taxpayer dollars, raising alarming questions about national security and foreign infiltration of U.S. research institutions.
Key Takeaways
- Two Chinese nationals, Yunqing Jian and Zunyong Liu, were charged with smuggling Fusarium graminearum, a dangerous fungal pathogen that could devastate American agriculture.
- The scientists worked in a University of Michigan lab led by senior Chinese researchers who received over $7.6 million in NIH funding.
- Evidence shows Jian’s loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party and his receipt of Chinese government funding for research on the pathogen.
- Federal investigators described the fungus as a “potential agroterrorism weapon,” highlighting serious national security implications.
- The case reveals ongoing concerns about Chinese infiltration of U.S. research institutions and potential threats to America’s food security.
Chinese Nationals Charged with Biological Smuggling Scheme
Yunqing Jian and Zunyong Liu face serious federal charges for allegedly smuggling Fusarium graminearum, a toxic fungal pathogen, into the United States. The Justice Department has charged both Chinese nationals with conspiracy, smuggling, making false statements, and visa fraud. This dangerous pathogen causes devastating crop diseases that can destroy wheat, corn, and other essential food crops, leading to significant agricultural losses and potential food shortages. The FBI has classified this fungus as a “potential agroterrorism weapon,” underscoring the severity of the threat to American agriculture and national security.
Both scientists worked at a University of Michigan laboratory led by senior Chinese researchers Ping He and Libo Shan, who received substantial American taxpayer funding. According to federal investigators, Liu admitted to smuggling the fungus into the U.S. for research at the university. The case has drawn particular concern because Jian reportedly received Chinese government funding for his research on the pathogen and evidence suggests he maintains strong ties to the Chinese Communist Party, raising serious questions about potential espionage and foreign influence in American research institutions.
Two Chinese nationals were charged with smuggling the Fusarium graminearum fungus—an agroterrorism weapon—into the U.S. for research. The pair’s connection to the Chinese Communist Party raises serious national security concerns.https://t.co/BdrCSOc9iP
2 Chinese Nationals…
— Spotlight on China (@spotlightoncn) June 4, 2025
Taxpayer-Funded Research Under Scrutiny
The laboratory where Jian and Liu worked received over $7.6 million in funding from the National Institutes of Health for plant immunity research, highlighting how American taxpayer dollars may have inadvertently supported individuals with questionable loyalties. The University of Michigan has stated it received no Chinese government funding for the accused individuals’ research and is cooperating with federal investigations. However, this case raises troubling questions about vetting procedures for foreign researchers working in sensitive fields with U.S. government funding and access to facilities that could be misused for harmful purposes.
“It has been obvious for years that Anthony Fauci and Francis Collins not only funded dangerous research, but directed funding to scientists loyal to China, not America,” said Sen. Ron Johnson
This incident bears disturbing similarities to concerns raised during the COVID-19 pandemic about foreign influence in U.S. research institutions. The pattern of Chinese researchers with undisclosed ties to their government gaining access to American research facilities and funding represents a significant national security vulnerability that extends beyond this single case. The University of Michigan has previously been linked to other incidents involving Chinese nationals, including individuals caught photographing military bases, suggesting a broader pattern of concerning activity.
Potential Agricultural Terrorism Threat
The smuggled pathogen poses a substantial threat to America’s agricultural security. Fusarium graminearum causes a disease known as Fusarium head blight, which can devastate wheat, barley, and corn crops, leading to contaminated grain that is toxic to both humans and livestock. The potential economic and food security implications of an intentional release of this pathogen would be severe, potentially affecting millions of Americans and causing billions in economic damage to the agricultural sector. This case represents one of the most direct examples of potential agricultural bioterrorism preparations uncovered in recent years.
“The alleged actions of these Chinese nationals—including a loyal member of the Chinese Communist Party—are of the gravest national security concerns. These two aliens have been charged with smuggling a fungus that has been described as a ‘potential agroterrorism weapon’ into the heartland of America, where they apparently intended to use a University of Michigan laboratory to further their scheme,” stated United States Attorney Gorgon.
Security experts view this case as part of a broader pattern of Chinese efforts targeting American critical infrastructure and resources. The targeting of America’s food supply through agricultural pathogens represents a particularly insidious threat that could cause widespread economic damage while being difficult to attribute to foreign actors. This case demonstrates how academic research institutions can become unwitting participants in activities that potentially threaten national security when proper vetting and monitoring procedures for foreign researchers are inadequate.
Calls for Increased Vigilance in Research Security
The alarming discovery has prompted bipartisan calls for increased scrutiny of foreign researchers working in sensitive fields at American institutions. Law enforcement officials emphasize that this case highlights the need for enhanced vetting procedures, particularly for researchers from countries with histories of intellectual property theft and espionage against the United States. The incident also underscores the importance of protecting America’s agricultural sector as a matter of national security, recognizing that threats to food security represent a fundamental vulnerability that could affect millions of citizens.
“The CCP’s quiet infiltration of our research ecosystem is a direct threat to our national security, biosecurity, and economic independence,” said Erica Knight.
President Trump’s administration has consistently highlighted the threats posed by Chinese infiltration of American research institutions and the need for greater protections against intellectual property theft and espionage. This case provides concrete evidence supporting those concerns and demonstrates how foreign adversaries continue attempting to exploit America’s open research environment for potentially nefarious purposes. As the investigation continues, federal authorities will determine whether to pursue additional felony indictments against the accused scientists, who face substantial prison terms if convicted of the current charges.
