A stark alert from a top China analyst has once again raised alarms over potential biological risks, following the arrest of two Chinese scientists accused of bringing a harmful, crop-destroying fungus into the United States. The case—now under investigation as a possible act of agroterrorism—has set off a wave of concern over U.S.-China relations and the rising threat of non-traditional warfare.
Fungus in a Backpack, Alarms in the Air
Yunqing Jian and Zunyong Liu, two Chinese researchers working at a University of Michigan lab, now face serious federal charges including smuggling, visa fraud, conspiracy, and making false statements. The FBI revealed that Liu entered the U.S. with small baggies of Fusarium graminearum stashed in his backpack—a toxic fungus known to devastate essential crops like wheat, maize, and barley, and capable of harming livestock and even humans.
Liu initially denied knowing what he was carrying, but later admitted he planned to use the fungus for “research”—raising more questions than answers.
‘Biological Warfare Is on the Table,’ Warns Expert
Speaking to Fox News, China affairs expert Gordon G. Chang didn’t hold back. He called the incident a serious national security threat and likened it to an act of war.
“This was an attack on the United States at a time when China is openly preparing for conflict,” Chang said. “Xi Jinping repeatedly speaks about war—and he’s mobilizing all of Chinese society for it.”
Chang, who spent years in China as counsel to a major U.S. law firm, went further: “If we don’t act decisively, we’re opening ourselves up to something far worse than COVID-19.”
Patterns Too Familiar to Ignore
This isn’t an isolated case, experts warn. A few years ago, mysterious seed packets from China were delivered to random American households—unsolicited. Agriculture officials warned the seeds could be invasive species meant to disrupt native ecosystems.
And now, a starkly similar case has emerged again. The Chinese e-commerce platform Temu is facing fresh allegations of sending random seed packets to U.S. residents without explanation—raising fears that such actions may be part of a coordinated biological or agricultural interference campaign.
A Fungus with Destructive Potential
Fusarium graminearum, the fungus at the center of the case, is known to cause Fusarium head blight—also called “scab”—a highly destructive disease in cereal crops. It’s not just a threat to food production; it produces toxins that can be harmful if consumed in large amounts. The FBI referred to the fungus in its statement as a “potential agroterrorism weapon,” citing its appearance in scientific literature on biosecurity.
While agriculture experts have noted that the fungus already exists in parts of the U.S. and can be managed through pesticides, the concern lies in the intentional smuggling of a known biohazard.
Urging Action Before It’s Too Late
Chang emphasized that the U.S. needs to act swiftly and decisively. “We’ve already been hit with COVID, with fentanyl—this could be next. And if we don’t put up a firm response, we may not get another warning.”
His most extreme recommendation? A complete severing of diplomatic ties with China. “People will say it’s too drastic,” he acknowledged. “But how many more hits can we take before it’s too late?”
A Wake-Up Call?
Government officials are now facing mounting pressure to investigate deeper, enhance security protocols at borders, and examine academic research partnerships more carefully.
While some scientists argue that the fungus is manageable and unlikely to pose an immediate public threat, security experts like Chang insist this case isn’t about biology—it’s about strategy.
“The next threat might not come in a test tube or a lab,” Chang said. “It could come in a backpack, a package—or a shipment of seeds.”
