US federal prosecutors have filed charges against two Chinese nationals, Jian Yunqing, 33, and Liu Zunyong, 34, for allegedly smuggling a toxic fungus, Fusarium graminearum, into the United States. Authorities claim this fungus could be used as a potential weapon in agroterrorism. The charges also include conspiracy, visa fraud, and providing false statements to investigators.
The duo, both researchers from China, intended to use the fungus for research at the University of Michigan laboratory where Jian’s girlfriend, Liu, worked. Fusarium graminearum causes “head blight,” a disease in crops like wheat, barley, maize, and rice, leading to significant economic losses worldwide. The pathogen poses a danger to humans and livestock, causing symptoms such as vomiting, liver damage, and reproductive defects.
The investigation was conducted by US Customs and Border Protection and the FBI, whose mandate includes probing foreign and economic espionage and counterterrorism. Jian was arrested by the FBI and is set to face scrutiny regarding her ties to the Chinese government, which provided her funding for research on the same toxic fungus in China.
Liu was deported back to China after the fungus was found in his backpack. He later confessed to bringing it into the US for research at the University of Michigan. Evidence on Liu’s phone showed an article titled “Plant-Pathogen Warfare under Changing Climate Conditions,” indicating an awareness of the smuggling plan among the couple, who also lied to investigators about it.
Since the US does not have an extradition treaty with China, Liu is unlikely to face extradition. FBI Director Kash Patel highlighted the need to address China’s efforts to infiltrate American institutions and potentially target food supply systems.
The Chinese Embassy in Washington, DC, did not respond immediately to a request for comment. The University of Michigan condemned any actions that could harm, threaten national security, or undermine its mission. This case comes shortly after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced plans to aggressively revoke the visas of Chinese students in the US, particularly those with ties to the Chinese Communist Party.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/4/chinese-couple-charged-with-smuggling-toxic-fungus-into-us?traffic_source=rss
