According to a complaint filed Tuesday, two Chinese researchers were accused of importing a biological virus that they intended to investigate at a lab at the University of Michigan.
The US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan charged Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34, with conspiracy to commit offense or defraud the United States, smuggling goods into the United States, making false statements, and visa fraud for bringing in the fungus Fusarium graminearum from China.
According to an FBI affidavit supporting the case, Fusarium graminearum is “a potential agroterrorism weapon” that may infect specific plants, such as corn, rice, and barley, and is “responsible for billions of dollars in economic loss worldwide each year.”
The accusations follow Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s announcement last week that the Trump administration is seeking to cancel Chinese student visas, particularly those who have alleged “connections to the Chinese Communist Party or are studying in critical fields.” Over the past few months, the State Department has focused on any possible misconduct by academics nationwide, including a Harvard researcher who is said to have smuggled frog embryo remains.
The case is “a sobering reminder that the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) is working around the clock to deploy operatives and researchers to infiltrate American institutions and target our food supply, which would have grave consequences,” according to a post on X by FBI Director Kash Patel. The purpose of Jian and Liu’s fungus research is not made clear in the affidavit.
For reaction, CNN contacted Jian’s attorney, the Federal Community Defender for the Eastern District of Michigan. Jian is still in detention after being apprehended by the FBI. According to Gina Balaya, public information officer for the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, Liu is not in the US at the moment.
According to the affidavit, Liu, a researcher at Zhejiang University in China, attempted to smuggle in several samples of the fungus while traveling on a tourist visa in July 2024 without obtaining a permit.
According to the affidavit, Jian, his girlfriend, has been employed at a Texas institution since August 2022 and is currently a postdoctoral research fellow at the institution of Michigan’s Molecular Plant-Microbe Interaction Laboratory. According to the affidavit, authorities discovered proof that the Chinese government had supported her research on Fusarium graminearum at Zhejiang University while she was a student at the two campuses.
According to the affidavit, among the files discovered on Jian’s phone were a signed “annual self-assessment form” from the university that detailed her research achievements from the previous year and an oath to uphold the CCP’s ideals. According to an earlier report on the practice by Radio Free Asia, “tens of thousands” of Chinese students who were receiving government-sponsored scholarships had to sign the document.
According to the affidavit, Liu first denied knowing what the materials containing the fungus were when he was questioned at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport in July 2024. However, he later acknowledged that he purposefully concealed the samples and intended to clone various strains at the University of Michigan lab where Jian worked.
According to the affidavit, messages on a number of devices confiscated from Liu revealed that he had worked with Jian to smuggle biological samples and other supplies for the July 2024 trip as well as for a journey that took place two years prior.
“Strongly condemning any actions that seek to cause harm, threaten national security, or undermine the university’s critical public mission,” the University of Michigan stated in a statement on Tuesday. The university also mentioned that they received no financing from the Chinese government in connection with individuals accused.
According to Balaya, Jian did not enter a plea when he appeared in court on Tuesday. On Thursday, she is expected to appear in court for a detention hearing.
