Gordon Chang, a China expert and senior fellow at the Gatestone Institute, has issued strong warnings about an ongoing agroterrorism threat, linking it to a recent FBI investigation into Chinese nationals suspected of smuggling a dangerous crop-killing fungus into the U.S. The case has drawn widespread attention, both for its potential impact on global agriculture and for its implications in U.S.-China relations.
The FBI alleges that Yunqing Jian, a 33-year-old Communist Party loyalist and University of Michigan post-doctoral research fellow, along with her boyfriend Zuny0ng Liu, 34, orchestrated the smuggling of Fusarium graminearum, a pathogen known to destroy crops such as wheat, barley, maize, and rice. According to the arrest affidavit, Jian brought the fungus to the U.S. in August 2022, and a transcribed WeChat conversation between the couple reveals Liu directing her on how to smuggle the organism.
Chang, who has long criticized U.S. universities for their ties to Chinese institutions, has called for a stern response. He stated that no bail should be granted to Jian and argued that she should be sent to Guantanamo, as the case represents a broader threat to national security and U.S. interests. “This has been going on for at least a half decade, because in 2020, Americans in all 50 states received from China unsolicited seeds, and that’s an attempt to plant these invasive species,” Chang warned.
Chang also highlighted the economic costs of the fungus, noting that Fusarium graminearum causes “head blight,” a devastating disease for major food crops that results in billions of dollars in losses worldwide each year, including in the United States. He further linked the incident to other concerns about China, including fentanyl trafficking, the spread of the coronavirus, and other threats to U.S. society.
The University of Michigan has responded to the allegations, emphasizing its commitment to national security and condemning any actions that threaten its mission or public interest. In a statement, the university confirmed that it has not received any funding from the Chinese government related to the research conducted by Jian and Liu, and that it would continue to cooperate with federal law enforcement in the ongoing investigation.
As the case unfolds, it highlights the growing concerns about potential agroterrorism, the role of foreign nationals in U.S. academia, and the broader geopolitical tensions between the United States and China. The implications extend beyond the immediate threat to the food supply, raising questions about the safety of agricultural systems and the integrity of scientific research in the United States.