On June 3, two Chinese nationals, affiliated with the University of Michigan, were charged with allegedly smuggling a fungus called “fusarium graminearum,” a potential agroterrorism weapon, into the United States, the Justice Department said.
Accused are Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34, both citizens of the People’s Republic of China, who were allegedly receiving funding from China’s communist government to study the bioweapon at the University of Michigan, officials said.
The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) said on Tuesday that the fungus is classified as a “potential agroterrorism weapon” in scientific literature, and produces toxins that can cause vomiting, liver damage, and reproductive defects in humans and livestock.
The fungus can also attack wheat, barley, maize and rice, according to court documents.
It has caused major economic damage in the U.S., both historically and in recent years, with annual losses ranging from hundreds of millions to over a billion dollars during severe outbreaks.
Success
You are now signed up for our newsletter
Success
Check your email to complete sign up
In the 1990s outbreaks in the U.S. Midwest — especially in North Dakota and Minnesota — wiped out large portions of wheat crop, causing over three billion in cumulative losses from 1991 to 1996.
Contaminated grain is often unfit for human or animal consumption and leads to lower market values, rejected shipments and export restrictions.
RELATED:
Changing stories
American customs deported Zunyong Liu back to communist China after he repeatedly changed his story during interrogation — first claiming ignorance about the bioweapon samples found on him, then admitting they were for research at a University of Michigan lab where his girlfriend, Yunqing Jian, worked as a postdoctoral fellow.
A search of Liu’s phone uncovered a scientific article entitled, “Plant-Pathogen Warfare under Changing Climate Conditions,” authorities said.
Investigations also revealed chat records between the two accused, with Jian saying, “It’s a pity that I still have to work for you,” and Liu replying, “Once this is done, everything else will be easy.”
The FBI has had eyes on the Michigan lab since at least February this year when agents attended Jian’s lab and asked whether she had been assisting Liu with researching the pathogen. At the time Jian responded, “100 percent, no.”
Messages from the two indicated that Jian had been working with the substance at the lab in Michigan beginning in 2024.
A statement from university authorities says that the university does not have a permit to handle the fungus and that it “has received no funding from the Chinese government in relation to research conducted by the accused individuals.
READ MORE:
- Over 1 Million Taiwanese Participate in Movement to Recall ‘Pro-Communist’ Legislators
- Exposed CCP Espionage Ring at Stanford Unveils Deep Infiltration of US Academia
Aligned with Chinese communist authorities
Both accused have strong ties to Chinese communist authorities, with Jian expressing support for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in a signed statement on her phone. She also received funding for her work on the fungus in China, a court filing concerning the matter reads.
Liu also studies the same pathogen at a Chinese university, and told American authorities that he brought samples to the United States “so that he could conduct research on it at the laboratory” where Jian, his girlfriend, worked.
The two have been charged with conspiracy, smuggling, making false statements and visa fraud, Jerome Gorgon Jr. a U.S. attorney said.
Gorgon described the allegations against the two Chinese nationals as “[some] of the gravest national security concerns.”
A Chinese ministry of foreign affairs spokesperson told NBC News that it was not aware of the case and that its government “has always required Chinese citizens overseas to strictly abide by local laws and regulations, while also safeguarding their legitimate rights and interests in accordance with the law.”
Jian, who is currently being held in custody, is set to appear in federal court on June 5. Liu is unlikely to face consequences since there is no extradition treaty between China and the United States.
In a statement, FBI director Kash Patel said, “This case is a sobering reminder that the CCP is working around the clock to deploy operatives and researchers to infiltrate American institutions and target our food supply, which would have grave consequences… putting American lives and our economy at serious risk.”
