U.S. federal prosecutors have unveiled charges against two Chinese nationals, Jian Yunqing and Liu Zunyong, for allegedly smuggling a toxic fungus into the United States, potentially usable as an agroterrorism weapon.
The charges, made public by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, include conspiracy, visa fraud, and providing false statements to investigators.
Prosecutors claim that Liu smuggled the fungus, known as Fusarium graminearum, into the U.S. for research purposes at the University of Michigan, where his girlfriend Jian worked.
Fusarium graminearum is notorious for causing “head blight,” a disease that adversely affects crops such as wheat, barley, maize, and rice, resulting in billions of dollars in economic losses globally each year.
In addition to its impact on agriculture, the fungus poses health risks to humans and livestock, associated with severe symptoms including vomiting, liver damage, and reproductive defects.
The investigation, led by U.S. Customs and Border Protection along with the FBI, comes amid growing concerns about foreign espionage and potential threats to national security.
Jian has previously been arrested and is scheduled to appear in federal court this week, where her connections to the Chinese government, particularly concerning her funding for research on the fungus in China, will be scrutinized.
According to reports, Liu was intercepted by airport customs authorities in July 2024 while attempting to enter the U.S. from China. Customs officers uncovered the fungus in his backpack, and he later confessed to having brought it for research purposes at the University of Michigan, where he previously worked alongside Jian.
FBI investigations into the couple led to the discovery of materials on Liu’s phone discussing “Plant-Pathogen Warfare under Changing Climate Conditions.” Evidence from their communications suggested that Jian was aware of the smuggling activities and subsequently provided misleading information to investigators.
Extraditing Liu is considered unlikely as the U.S. lacks an extradition treaty with China, complicating matters further for American authorities.
FBI director Kash Patel expressed concerns on social media, claiming that China is intensifying efforts to infiltrate American institutions and target the nation’s food supply, raising alarms about potential dire impacts.
The Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C. has not yet responded to media inquiries following these charges.
The University of Michigan reiterated its condemnation of any actions that pose threats to national security, emphasizing its commitment to its critical public mission in response to the allegations.
This incident occurs in the wake of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s announcement regarding a crackdown on visas held by Chinese students in the U.S., citing national security concerns.
The targeted individuals include Chinese nationals with connections to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), a political entity with around 100 million members.
Although membership may attract some for ideological reasons, it often grants access to enhanced job and educational opportunities. Rising suspicions regarding the intentions of Chinese students, particularly those from elite backgrounds studying in the U.S., further fuel this scrutiny.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has previously asserted its commitment to defending the rights and interests of its students studying abroad, amid increasing reports of visa restrictions.
image source from：https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/4/chinese-couple-charged-with-smuggling-toxic-fungus-into-us
