Chinese nationals charged with smuggling potential agroterrorism fungus into the U.S.

06/08/2025 / By Laura Harris

Two Chinese nationals, Yunqing Jian (a University of Michigan scholar) and Zunyong Liu, were charged with smuggling Fusarium graminearum – a fungal pathogen classified as a potential agroterrorism weapon – into the U.S.
The fungus causes devastating crop diseases in wheat, barley and rice, posing severe economic and health risks globally.
Jian, funded by the Chinese government, had evidence of CCP loyalty on her devices. Liu, researching the same pathogen in China, lied to customs about smuggling the fungus into Detroit.
Liu hid contaminated plant materials in his luggage and initially denied knowledge before admitting he knew U.S. import restrictions applied.
Both face charges (smuggling, visa fraud). The University of Michigan condemned the actions and the DOJ emphasized protecting national security. Jian awaits trial, while Liu fled to China.

Two Chinese nationals have been charged with attempting to smuggle a dangerous biological pathogen into the United States.

According to court documents unsealed on Tuesday, June 3, in Detroit, Chinese nationals Yunqing Jian, a University of Michigan scholar, and her boyfriend Zunyong Liu conspired to illegally transport Fusarium graminearum into the United States.

Fusarium graminearum is classified as a potential agroterrorism weapon capable of causing billions in economic damage and posing severe health risks to livestock and humans. This fungal pathogen causes “head blight,” a devastating crop disease affecting wheat, barley, maize and rice, leading to billions in global agricultural losses annually.

Jian, a 33-year-old doctorate holder in plant pathogens from Zhejiang University, allegedly received funding from the Chinese government. Court documents reveal Jian’s electronic devices contained evidence of her membership in and loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Meanwhile, Liu, a 34-year-old who researches the same pathogen at a Chinese university, allegedly smuggled the fungal pathogen into Detroit Metropolitan Airport on July 27 and lied to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers about its purpose.

“On July 27, 2024, Liu entered the United States and told authorities he was visiting his girlfriend and then returning to China to start his own laboratory in China. He allegedly said that he had no work materials, but upon a secondary screening of his luggage, authorities found tissues concealed a note in Chinese, a round piece of filter paper with a series of circles drawn on it and four clear plastic baggies with small clumps of reddish plant material inside,” the affidavit read.

Liu initially denied knowledge of the items but later admitted to hiding them, stating he knew import restrictions applied.

Jian has been charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, smuggling, making false statements and visa fraud, while Liu has reportedly returned to China. (Related: Chinese student arrested for omitting link to PLA-backed university in F-1 visa application.)

Bondi praises DOJ for keeping the American people safe

The University of Michigan issued a statement condemning the alleged actions and emphasizing cooperation with federal investigators.

“We strongly condemn any actions that seek to cause harm, threaten national security or undermine the university’s critical public mission,” the statement read. “It is important to note that the university has received no funding from the Chinese government in relation to research conducted by the accused individuals. We have and will continue to cooperate with federal law enforcement in its ongoing investigation and prosecution.”

Meanwhile, Attorney General Pam Bondi praised the Department of Justice (DOJ) for “keeping the American people safe” and protecting the nation from “hostile foreign actors.”

“Thanks to the hard work of our excellent DOJ attorneys, this defendant – who clandestinely attempted to bring a destructive substance into the United States – will face years behind bars,” the attorney general said.

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Watch the video below that talks about CCP sending spies to America.

This video is from the Chinese taking down EVIL CCP channel on Brighteon.com.