Agroterror Plot EXPOSED — Scientists Linked to CCP

Scientists working in a laboratory with test tubes

Chinese scientists smuggled a fungus capable of decimating America’s food supply into a U.S. lab, exposing a calculated plot that threatens our national security and agricultural infrastructure.

Key Takeaways

  • Two Chinese nationals, Yunqing Jian and Zunyong Liu, were arrested for smuggling Fusarium graminearum, classified as a potential agroterrorism weapon, into a University of Michigan laboratory.
  • Both scientists worked at a lab led by senior Chinese researchers who received over $7.6 million in U.S. government funding through the National Institutes of Health.
  • Federal authorities discovered evidence of Jian’s loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party, raising serious concerns about foreign infiltration in American research institutions.
  • The FBI has labeled the case a significant national security risk that could potentially target America’s food supply and agricultural economy.
  • The incident follows a pattern of Chinese espionage in U.S. academic institutions, drawing parallels to concerns raised during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chinese Nationals Caught Smuggling Dangerous Pathogen

Federal authorities have charged two Chinese scientists, Yunqing Jian and Zunyong Liu, with smuggling a dangerous biological pathogen into the United States. The fungus, Fusarium graminearum, causes devastating crop diseases and is classified as a potential agroterrorism weapon due to its ability to destroy wheat, corn, and other vital food crops. Both scientists were working at a University of Michigan laboratory led by senior Chinese researchers who had received substantial funding from U.S. government agencies, including the National Institutes of Health.

United States Attorney Gorgon emphasized the severity of the threat: “The alleged actions of these Chinese nationals—including a loyal member of the Chinese Communist Party—are of the gravest national security concerns. 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.” The case represents a chilling example of how foreign adversaries can exploit America’s open research environment to potentially conduct operations against our national interests.

Communist Party Ties and Covert Operations

The Justice Department’s investigation uncovered disturbing evidence of Jian’s loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party. Authorities found that Jian had received direct funding from the Chinese government for research on the pathogen and deliberately concealed these connections when entering the United States. This revelation has intensified concerns about Chinese infiltration of America’s scientific research ecosystem, which has been a growing national security concern for years, particularly following similar incidents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The CCP’s quiet infiltration of our research ecosystem is a direct threat to our national security, biosecurity, and economic independence,” said Erica Knight

According to the investigation, the University of Michigan lab that employed the scientists was led by Ping He and Libo Shan, who received over $7.6 million in NIH funding for plant immunity research. While the university has stated it received no Chinese government funding for the accused individuals’ research and is cooperating with federal investigations, the incident has exposed serious vulnerabilities in the vetting processes for foreign researchers working in sensitive fields with potential national security implications.

A Pattern of Infiltration and Espionage

The arrest of Jian and Liu is not an isolated incident but part of a larger pattern of Chinese efforts to gain access to American research and technology. Both scientists had previously been involved in other smuggling attempts. The charges include conspiracy, smuggling, making false statements, and visa fraud. This case highlights the ongoing challenge of protecting American research institutions from foreign espionage while maintaining the benefits of international scientific collaboration.

“Okay, the Chinese are adept at infiltration, at espionage, and at doing it in a way that is, if not inscrutable, intended to be very quiet,” said Robert Charles

Senator Ron Johnson has connected this incident to broader concerns about U.S. funding of research with ties to China: “It has been obvious for years that Anthony Fauci and Francis Collins not only funded dangerous research, but directed funding to scientists loyal to China, not America.” The University of Michigan has been linked to other incidents involving Chinese nationals, including one where individuals were caught photographing military bases, further underscoring the extent of the problem.

Threat to America’s Food Security

The smuggled pathogen, Fusarium graminearum, poses a significant threat to America’s agricultural sector. The fungus causes a disease known as Fusarium Head Blight, which can devastate wheat and barley crops, leading to substantial economic losses and potential food shortages. Additionally, the fungus produces mycotoxins that can cause serious health risks to humans and livestock when consumed, making it a dual threat to both food security and public health.

Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office, highlighted the gravity of the situation: “The federal charges announced today against Yunqing Jian and Zunyong Liu, both residents of the People’s Republic of China, signify a crucial advancement in our efforts to safeguard our communities and uphold national security. These individuals exploited their access to laboratory facilities at a local university to engage in the smuggling of biological pathogens, an act that posed an imminent threat to public safety.” The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities expected to make a decision on seeking a felony indictment upon completion.

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