The recent arrests of two Chinese nationals suspected of smuggling a deadly fungus into the United States have raised significant concerns among experts regarding a potential ‘People’s War’ strategy by the Chinese government. This strategy, inspired by Mao Zedong’s military doctrine, involves prolonged and systematic efforts to exhaust and weaken an enemy, according to Attorney and Chinese Communist Party expert Gordon Chang. Chang has called for the complete severance of relations with China, warning of looming threats that extend beyond recent crises such as the pandemic. He highlights the arrest of Yunqing Jian, a post-doctoral research fellow at the University of Michigan, and her boyfriend Zunyong Liu, who are accused of smuggling Fusarium graminearum, a toxic fungus that causes crop-killing head blight and poses serious health risks.
Chang’s warnings are echoed by other experts, including former FBI supervisory special agent Jason Pack, who points out that the potential impact of such biological agents on the U.S. economy could be devastating. He describes scenarios where food shortages, price spikes, and supply chain disruptions could result from the introduction of a dangerous pathogen. These concerns are further amplified by past incidents involving Chinese nationals, such as the 2020 case where two Chinese graduate students were caught photographing defense infrastructure at a Naval air station in Key West, Florida. These events underline the broader implications of the ongoing tensions and the potential for significant economic and health crises, as highlighted by the experts and officials.
The ongoing series of arrests and charges against Chinese nationals, including those affiliated with institutions like the University of Michigan and Jiao Tong University, has intensified the call for stricter measures to counter what is perceived as a coordinated threat. The FBI has also highlighted the role of programs like China’s Thousand Talents Program, which incentivizes the theft of foreign technologies to advance China’s national goals. These incidents are part of a growing list of cases that suggest a pattern of espionage and subversion by Chinese agents. The potential economic and health impacts of such actions are seen as a major concern, with experts warning that the U.S. must be prepared for the possibility of biological agents being used as tools of aggression.
The Chinese government, in response, has maintained that its citizens must abide by local laws, as noted in a recent statement from a Chinese official. However, the allegations of organized bioterrorism and state-sanctioned infiltration continue to fuel fears among U.S. officials and analysts. With the potential for severe economic consequences and public health threats, the situation remains a major concern. The calls for severe measures, including placing suspects in Guantánamo, reflect the gravity of the situation and the perceived threat from the Chinese government’s actions. These developments underscore the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and China, highlighting the complexity of the challenges posed by what experts view as a coordinated and relentless campaign against American interests.