Latest news with #LiuZunyong
South China Morning Post
3 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
3 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
3 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.
Al Jazeera
3 days ago
- Health
- Al Jazeera
Chinese couple charged with smuggling toxic fungus into US
US federal prosecutors have charged two Chinese nationals with smuggling a toxic fungus into the United States, which authorities claim could be turned into a 'potential agroterrorism weapon'. The charges against Jian Yunqing, 33, and Liu Zunyong, 34, two researchers from China, were unsealed by the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan on Tuesday. The pair face additional charges of conspiracy, visa fraud and providing false statements to investigators. Prosecutors allege that Liu smuggled the fungus, called Fusarium graminearum, into the US so he could carry out research at a University of Michigan laboratory where his girlfriend, Jian, worked. Fusarium graminearum causes 'head blight', a disease in crops like wheat, barley, maize and rice, and is 'responsible for billions of dollars in economic losses worldwide each year', according to the charges. The pathogen also poses a danger to humans and livestock, and can cause 'vomiting, liver damage, and reproductive defects'. The investigation was carried out by US Customs and Border Protection and the FBI, whose mandate includes investigating foreign and economic espionage as well as counterterrorism. Jian was earlier arrested by the FBI and is due to appear in federal court this week, where her ties to the Chinese government are also under scrutiny at a time of increased paranoia within the US government about possible Chinese infiltration. Jian allegedly received funding from the Chinese government to carry out research on the same toxic fungus in China, according to the charges. The Associated Press news agency, citing the FBI, said that Liu was sent back to China from Detroit in July 2024 after airport customs authorities found the fungus in his backpack. He later admitted to bringing the material into the US to carry out research at the University of Michigan, where he had previously worked alongside his girlfriend, the AP said. During their investigation, the FBI found an article on Liu's phone titled 'Plant-Pathogen Warfare under Changing Climate Conditions'. Messages on the couple's phones also indicated that Jian was aware of the smuggling scheme, and later lied to investigators about her knowledge. It is unlikely that Liu will face extradition as the US does not have an extradition treaty with China. FBI director Kash Patel claimed on X that China was 'working around the clock to deploy operatives and researchers to infiltrate American institutions and target our food supply, which would have grave consequences'. 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 The Chinese Embassy in Washington, DC did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The University of Michigan on Tuesday issued a brief statement condemning 'any actions that seek to cause harm, threaten national security, or undermine the university's critical public mission'. The case comes just a week after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledged to start 'aggressively' revoking the visas of Chinese students in the US on national security grounds. Targeted students include Chinese nationals with ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), an institution that counts about 100 million members. While some Chinese may join for ideological reasons, membership in the CCP comes with perks like access to better jobs and educational opportunities. It is not uncommon for students from elite backgrounds, like those studying in the US, to also be members of the CCP. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has previously pledged to 'firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests' of its students studying overseas following news of the visa crackdown.
South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Chinese scientist Liu Zunyong tried to bring toxic fungus into US, FBI says
A Chinese scientist entered the US last year with a toxic fungus stashed in his backpack, federal authorities said on Tuesday as they filed charges against him and a girlfriend who worked in a lab at the University of Michigan. Advertisement The pathogen is known as Fusarium graminearum, which can attack wheat, barley, maize and rice and sicken livestock and people, the FBI said in a court filing in Detroit. The FBI said a scientific journal describes it as a 'potential agroterrorism weapon'. Liu Zunyong, 34, and Jian Yunqing, 33, were charged with conspiracy, smuggling, making false statements and visa fraud. 'The alleged actions of these Chinese nationals, including a loyal member of the Chinese Communist Party, are of the gravest national security concerns,' Jerome Gorgon Jnr said. Advertisement Jian appeared in court and was returned to jail to await a bond hearing on Thursday. A lawyer who was assigned only for her initial appearance declined to comment.
