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5d ago

Chinese Researchers Charged with Smuggling Potential Agroterrorism Fungus into U.S.; One Remains at Large

The smuggling case has prompted the State Department to revoke visas for Chinese students with ties to the Communist Party.

Fusarium graminearum was found at a University of Michigan lab after two Chinese nationals allegedly smuggled it into the US, possibly to pose a food security threat. Images of the harmful fungus are now circulating widely on social media.
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United States Department of Justice logo and U.S. flag are seen in this illustration taken April 23, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
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Overview

  • Federal prosecutors charged Yunqing Jian and Zunyong Liu with conspiracy, smuggling, visa fraud and making false statements for importing Fusarium graminearum, a fungus classified as a potential agroterrorism weapon, in July 2024.
  • Liu concealed samples of the head blight–causing pathogen in his backpack at Detroit Metropolitan Airport and initially lied about its purpose before admitting he planned to conduct research at the University of Michigan lab where Jian worked.
  • Jian, a University of Michigan postdoctoral researcher, allegedly received funding from the Chinese government for her pathogen research and her seized electronics revealed her membership and loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party.
  • Jian is held in federal custody after her court appearance while Liu remains at large; U.S. authorities characterize their actions as posing a grave national security threat.
  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the visa revocations will target Chinese nationals connected to the Communist Party or studying in critical U.S. research fields.