Latest news with #JianYunqing
South China Morning Post
15-07-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
University of Michigan investigated after 2 Chinese scientists charged with bio-smuggling
The University of Michigan is under federal scrutiny after two Chinese scientists linked to the school were separately charged with smuggling biological materials into the United States. The US Education Department on Tuesday opened an investigation into the university's foreign funding, citing the pair of cases that were announced days apart in June. It said the 'highly disturbing criminal charges' raise concerns about Michigan's vulnerability to national security threats from China. 'Despite the University of Michigan's history of downplaying its vulnerabilities to malign foreign influence, recent reports reveal that UM's research laboratories remain vulnerable to sabotage,' said Paul Moore, chief investigative counsel of the department. US President Donald Trump has made it a priority to increase transparency around foreign gifts and contracts to US universities, especially those tied to China. Similar investigations have been opened at Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania and the University of California, Berkeley. It joins efforts from Republicans in Congress who have urged universities to cut research ties with China, saying China exploits the relationships to steal technology. Michigan ended a partnership with a university in Shanghai in January amid pressure from House Republicans who called it a security risk. Chinese scientist Jian Yunqing is accused of trying to bring a toxic fungus into the US. Photo: Sanilac County Sheriff's Office via AP The new investigation demands financial records from Michigan, along with information about research collaborations with institutions outside the US. The Education Department accuses Michigan of being 'incomplete, inaccurate and untimely' in its public disclosures around funding from foreign sources.
South China Morning Post
13-06-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Chinese scholars accused of smuggling biological material into US agree to stay in jail
Two University of Michigan scholars from China accused of smuggling biological material into the US agreed on Friday to be jailed without bond while their criminal cases are pending in federal court. Advertisement The decision by Han Chengxuan and Jian Yunqing came amid concerns that the Chinese nationals would flee the US if released on bond while facing criminal charges. That concern has increased in the two weeks since prosecutors charged another Chinese national studying at UM, 19-year-old Haoxiang Gao, with fleeing the US in January to avoid prosecution despite surrendering his Chinese passport and obtaining a second travel document. Gao is accused of voting illegally in the 2024 election. Han, Jian and Gao are among four Chinese nationals with ties to UM charged with federal crimes in the last two weeks. The criminal cases were filed amid plans by the Trump administration to revoke Chinese student visas nationwide, and the arrests have raised concerns about whether Chinese nationals are part of a campaign by the Chinese government to terrorise the US agricultural industry and meddle in elections. Advertisement A handcuffed Han, 28, wearing an orange Sanilac County Jail uniform, her ankles restrained by chains, said nothing beyond answering basic questions routed through a Mandarin translator.
South China Morning Post
08-06-2025
- 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
07-06-2025
- 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
04-06-2025
- 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.
