Two Chinese scientists, Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34, have been accused of smuggling a harmful fungus into the United States for the purpose of conducting research at an American university. The justice department has filed charges against them, including conspiracy, smuggling, making false statements, and visa fraud.
The fungus in question, Fusarium graminearum, is known to cause “head blight,” a disease affecting wheat, barley, maize, and rice. It is also classified as a “potential agroterrorism weapon” and is responsible for billions of dollars in annual losses. The fungus can cause vomiting, liver damage, and reproductive defects in humans and livestock.
Jian appeared in court and was remanded to jail pending a bond hearing, while Liu was turned away at the Detroit airport and deported back to China in July 2024 after contradicting himself during questioning about red plant material found in his backpack.
Both scientists had previous experience working with the fungus in China. The FBI discovered a scientific article on Liu’s phone titled “Plant-Pathogen Warfare under Changing Climate Conditions.” Messages exchanged between the two in 2024 indicated that Jian was already cultivating the fungus in a campus lab before Liu’s apprehension at the airport. The university lacks the necessary permits to handle the fungus.
The US does not have an extradition treaty with China, making it difficult to arrest Liu unless he returns voluntarily. US Attorney Jerome Gorgon Jr. called the smuggling of the fungus a national security concern and highlighted Jian’s membership in the Chinese Communist Party.
The Trump administration has implemented stricter immigration measures, including the potential revocation of visas for Chinese students, which has been criticized by Beijing as “unreasonable” and “discriminatory.” The US will also refuse visas to foreign officials who restrict Americans’ access to social media and has rescinded visas for individuals who criticize Israel.
In addition, Kseniia Petrova, a Russian scientist at Harvard, is facing potential deportation for failing to declare biological samples in her luggage upon returning from a trip to Paris.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/04/potential-agroterrorism-weapon-fungus-smuggled-into-us-by-chinese-scientists-fbi-alleges
