Latest news with #JianYunqing
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
What were 2 Chinese scientists who took a pathogen into the US thinking?
Of course American authorities are deliberately hyping up their case against two Chinese researchers for allegedly trying to smuggle into the country an 'agroterrorism agent' that is commonly found across the US. It fits right into Washington's fierce propaganda campaign that makes many Chinese-born researchers and students in the United States automatically suspect, and turns China effectively into an enemy state. The Chinese side has condemned the charges as 'political manipulation'. The Chinese consulate in Chicago said it had lodged a 'stern representation' with Washington. All well and good. But I have to ask, what were those two researchers thinking? I know some scientists live in their own intellectual bubbles, but are those two completely oblivious to what's going on in these politically sensitive times, especially about crossing borders into the US? Even ordinary foreign visitors have been expelled or detained for weeks before being released for … well, for nothing. This is American border control now; its arbitrariness has in fact severely impacted tourism. Did the pair not worry about carrying a biological specimen through US airport security? Chinese citizens Jian Yunqing, 33, a research fellow at the University of Michigan, and her partner, Liu Zunyong, 34, have been charged with trying to smuggle the fungus Fusarium graminearum into the US last year. Jian is facing trial in the US, but Liu remains at large and is believed to be in China.
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
China slams US ‘political manipulation' as research pair face fungus smuggling charge
China has condemned 'political manipulation' by the United States and its 'overstretched concept of national security', days after two Chinese researchers were charged with illegally importing a toxic fungus described by US authorities as a 'dangerous biological pathogen'. The Chinese Consulate in Chicago said in a statement on Saturday that it was seeking information about the case and had lodged a 'stern representation' with the US side. This comes after the US Department of Justice announced on Tuesday that Chinese citizens Jian Yunqing , 33, a research fellow at the University of Michigan, and her boyfriend, Liu Zunyong, 34, had been accused of attempting to smuggle the fungus pathogen Fusarium graminearum into the country last year. They allegedly planned to carry out research on the material at a University of Michigan laboratory where Jian worked. In its statement, the consulate said: 'The Chinese government has always required Chinese citizens abroad to strictly abide by local laws and regulations, including those related to entry and exit. 'At the same time, China lawfully safeguards the legitimate rights and interests of its citizens overseas and firmly opposes the US side's political manipulation of the case under the pretext of ideology and an overstretched concept of national security.'
South China Morning Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Will Chinese scientist Jian Yunqing's arrest risk further US talent exodus?
The arrest of a Chinese researcher in the United States for allegedly importing an illegal biological pathogen that could kill crops was 'politicised' by the US government and could speed up an exodus of Chinese talent from the country, according to some researchers. Advertisement According to a press release from the US Department of Justice on Tuesday, Jian Yunqing, 33, and her boyfriend, Liu Zunyong , 34, allegedly attempted to smuggle the fungus pathogen Fusarium graminearum into the country. Jian, a research fellow at the University of Michigan, was arrested in connection with the allegations against Liu. 'I personally think this incident has been politicised,' said a Chinese scientist conducting agricultural research at a leading US university. The researcher, who asked not to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter, added that it would further damage US–China collaboration in agriculture and other areas, potentially encouraging more Chinese researchers to return home. Advertisement China's foreign ministry said on Wednesday that it did not have any information on the matter.
South China Morning Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Is the common fungus Fusarium graminearum an ‘agroterrorism agent'?
Two Chinese scientists were charged with conspiracy and smuggling on Tuesday after attempting to clear US customs with a plant disease-causing fungus that officials called a 'potential agroterrorism agent'. Advertisement The Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested Jian Yunqing, a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Michigan, for the alleged smuggling of the fungus Fusarium graminearum. Her partner, Liu Zunyong, a researcher at Zhejiang University, has also been charged in the case. But he was turned away at the Detroit airport last year after samples of the fungus were found in his backpack, and he remains outside the US. In a filing to a Detroit federal court, the FBI said the scientific literature described the fungus' potential use as an agricultural weapon. It claimed the incident posed 'an imminent threat to public safety'. The Post takes a look at Fusarium graminearum and its prevalence in crop fields across the US, as well as what the science says about its potential as an agroterrorism agent. What is Fusarium, and how common is it in the US? Fusarium graminearum, also known as Gibberella zeae, is a fungus found across the US and the world in temperate and semitropical regions. It infects several types of crops, including barley, oats, rice and wheat.
The Sun
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Two Chinese scientists charged by FBI for smuggling ‘dangerous biological weapon into US' with ‘agroterrorism fungus'
TWO Chinese scientists have been charged for allegedly attempting to smuggle a toxic fungus into the United States. Authorities have claimed this fungus could be used as a "potential agroterrorism weapon". 3 3 3 Researchers Jian Yunqing, 33, and Liu Zunyong, 34 face charges of smuggling goods, conspiracy, visa fraud and providing false statements, the US Attorney's Office for the eastern district of Michigan announced on Tuesday. Prosecutors claim Liu tried to smuggle the fungus through Detroit Airport so he could study it at a University of Michigan laboratory. Jian, Liu's girlfriend, works at this lab, the prosecutors added. The FBI says the Fusarium graminearum is classified as a "potential agroterrorism weapon" that can cause vomiting, liver damage, and reproductive defects in humans and livestock. This fungus causes billions of dollars worth of damage to livestock and crops globally each year. Officials have also alleged that Jian's research on the fungus in China got Chinese government funding - and that she is a member of the Chinese Communist Party. FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X: "This case is a sobering reminder that the CCP is working around the clock to deploy operatives and researchers to infiltrate American institutions and target our food supply, which would have grave consequences... putting American lives and our economy at serious risk. "Your FBI will continue working tirelessly to be on guard against it." Liu is alleged to have initially lied about attempting to bring the pathogen into the country in July 2024 before admitting it. The complaint claims that Jian and Liu had previously studied the fungus in China. Trump doubles steel and aluminium tariffs and threatens China and its 'shoddy' exports in latest trade war escalation A scientific article was found on Liu's phone titled "Plant-Pathogen Warfare under Changing Climate Conditions", according to the FBI. Messages between the couple suggest Jian was already studying the pathogen prior to Liu's arrival at the airport, the authority added. The university does not have the required federal permits to handle the pathogen. A statement from the university says the institution as not received "funding from the Chinese government in relation to research conducted by the accused individuals". It adds: "We strongly condemn any actions that seek to cause harm, threaten national security or undermine the university's critical public mission." What is Fusarium graminearum? Fusarium graminearum is a fungal pathogen that can be devastating to livestock and crops. It can ruin a large number of crops, and can cause bight in wheat and barley - making it a major cause for concern. The pathogen is understood to lead to billions of dollars in losses worldwide each year. It can also cause vomiting, liver damage, and reproductive defects in both humans and livestock. The potential for large scale crop losses is why is is deemed to be a potential "agroterrorism" agent. Jian appeared in court yesterday and was returned to jail to await a bond hearing - which is set for Thursday. The attorney who was assigned only for her initial appearance declined to comment, according to the Associated Press. But as the US does not have an extradition treaty with China, Liu's arrest is seen as unlikely unless he returns. US Attorney Jerome Gorgon Jr called the allegations a "national security" concern. He said: "These two aliens have been charged with smuggling a fungus that has been described as a 'potential agroterrorism weapon' into the heartland of America, where they apparently intended to use a University of Michigan laboratory to further their scheme." It comes after Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledged to "aggressively" revoke the visas of Chinese students in the US. This move, which is part of a broad crackdown on immigration by the Trump administration, has been condemned as "discriminatory" by the Chinese government. China makes up the second largest number of foreign students in the United States, only after India.
