A pair of Chinese nationals were caught allegedly smuggling a dangerous biological agent into the U.S. to conduct research at a top American university. Federal authorities say it could have devastated crops—and possibly lives.
Key Facts:
- Two Chinese citizens, Yunqing Jian and Zunyong Liu, were charged with smuggling a dangerous pathogen into the U.S.
- The pathogen, Fusarium graminearum, is classified as a potential agroterrorism weapon by the Justice Department.
- Jian is reportedly linked to the Chinese Communist Party and received Chinese government funding for related research.
- The couple allegedly intended to use the University of Michigan lab for further study of the pathogen.
- The FBI and U.S. Customs and Border Protection led the investigation and arrests, calling it a serious national security breach.
The Rest of The Story:
Federal prosecutors say Jian and Liu attempted to bring a pathogen known to destroy wheat, barley, maize, and rice—causing billions in crop damage worldwide—into the United States.
They allege Jian, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Michigan, and Liu, her boyfriend, smuggled Fusarium graminearum with the goal of conducting research in a Michigan lab.
“This case is a sobering reminder that the Chinese Communist Party continues to deploy operatives and researchers to infiltrate our institutions and target our food supply,” said FBI Director Kash Patel.
Officials stated the fungus not only attacks crops but produces toxins harmful to both humans and animals.
Jian allegedly had electronic records proving her loyalty to the CCP, while Liu initially lied to border agents before confessing to smuggling the biological material.
U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon called it a grave national security concern.
The University of Michigan has not yet issued a public response.
New… I can confirm that the FBI arrested a Chinese national within the United States who allegedly smuggled a dangerous biological pathogen into the country.
The individual, Yunqing Jian, is alleged to have smuggled a dangerous fungus called "Fusarium graminearum," which is an…
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) June 3, 2025
Commentary:
This isn’t just a case of academic misconduct.
It’s a national security wake-up call.
The facts strongly suggest that China is using its students and researchers to run covert operations inside the United States, targeting our critical infrastructure—this time, our food supply.
What’s particularly alarming is how close this came to slipping past our defenses.
A deadly agroterrorism agent like this could have easily been introduced into America’s breadbasket if CBP hadn’t caught them.
One vial smuggled in today could become tomorrow’s biological crisis.
FBI Director Patel was right to sound the alarm.
These aren’t just students with a science project.
Jian’s links to the Chinese Communist Party and Liu’s smuggling operation reek of coordination.
It’s not a stretch to see this as an extension of China’s broader hybrid warfare strategy.
This also raises deeper concerns about the unchecked flow of foreign nationals into America under the Biden administration.
If these two were caught, how many others weren’t?
For four years, our borders and our institutions have been left wide open, and the consequences may be far more dangerous than even fentanyl or terrorism—this time it’s food security.
From sabotage of agriculture to intellectual theft, the CCP has treated our openness as a weapon against us.
It’s long past time for the U.S. to stop pretending these acts are isolated.
They are not. They are targeted.
President Trump should treat this not as a mere criminal case but as an act of war.
China isn’t just challenging us with trade or propaganda—it’s infiltrating us with weapons disguised as research.
A hard reset in policy is required, with sweeping visa bans and immediate deportations of CCP-linked individuals.
American soil cannot become a testing ground for Chinese bioweapons.
And American universities should not serve as backdoors for foreign regimes to endanger our economy, food, and public health.
The Bottom Line:
Two Chinese nationals allegedly smuggled a crop-killing, human-harming pathogen into the U.S. with ties to the Chinese Communist Party.
Thanks to the FBI and CBP, the threat was intercepted before it could be unleashed.
This case serves as a warning: America’s enemies aren’t just at the gate—they’re already inside.
Read Next
– California Moves 200 Bar Exam Takers From Fail To Pass After Adjusting The Scores
– Massive Oil Reserve Back in Play After Trump Lifts Biden Clampdown
– Federal Court Forces Taxpayers to Fund Inmate Gender Transitions
– DOJ Launches Probe Into Biden Auto-Pen Pardons, May Move To Void Them