Headline Roundup • June 5th, 2025
Chinese Nationals Charged with Smuggling Potential 'Agroterrorism' Fungus into US
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Two Chinese nationals are facing charges for smuggling a fungus, Fusarium graminearum, into the United States.
The Details: The accused, Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34, were allegedly funded by the Chinese government for their research. Liu is Jian's boyfriend and is reported to work at a Chinese university, and Jian is a researcher for the University of Michigan. The fungus, which causes a disease called “head blight” in crops like wheat, barley, maize, and rice, is considered a potential “agroterrorism” agent. Both are suspected of having ties to the Chinese Communist Party. Liu was reportedly caught with samples of the fungus upon entering the US through the Detroit Metropolitan Airport in July 2024.
For Context: The FBI has labeled the smuggling of this fungus into the US as a national security threat, as “head blight” leads to billions of dollars in crop loss worldwide every year. The University of Michigan said it “has received no funding from the Chinese government in relation to research conducted by the accused individuals.”
How The Media Covered It: Coverage was similar across the political spectrum. BBC News (Center bias) and Washington Examiner (Lean Right) noted, the charges came a week after Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the US would begin 'aggressively' revoking the visas of Chinese students.
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Featured Coverage of this Story
Two Chinese nationals have been charged with allegedly smuggling into the U.S. a fungus called "Fusarium graminearum, which scientific literature classifies as a potential agroterrorism weapon," the Justice Department said Tuesday.
Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34, citizens of the People’s Republic of China, were allegedly receiving Chinese government funding for their research, some of it at the University of Michigan, officials said.
"The complaint also alleges that Jian’s electronics contain information describing her membership in and loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party," a DOJ press release said.
Two Chinese nationals were charged with smuggling a “potential agroterrorism” fungus into the United States called Fusarium graminearum.
The fungus causes “head blight,” a disease associated with wheat, barley, maize, and rice that can cause billions of dollars in damage.
Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34, who are citizens of the People’s Republic of China, are also being accused of having ties to the Chinese Communist Party.
“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, an act that could cripple...
Getty Images
Two Chinese nationals have been accused of smuggling a fungus into the US that officials describe as a "dangerous biological pathogen".
Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34, have been charged with conspiracy, smuggling goods, false statements, and visa fraud, the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan announced on Tuesday.
The complaint alleges Mr Liu tried to smuggle the fungus through Detroit airport so he could study it at a University of Michigan laboratory where his girlfriend, Ms Jian, worked.
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