US Officials Decry "Alarming Pattern" of Biological Smuggling by Chinese Researchers at University of Michigan

US federal authorities have intensified warnings regarding an "alarming pattern" of biological material smuggling involving Chinese national researchers at the University of Michigan (UM). The concerns follow multiple arrests and charges, prompting calls from a prominent online personality to re-evaluate academic exchange programs with China.

Winston Sterzel, a South African vlogger known for his critical commentary on the Chinese government, stated in a recent tweet, "> More dangerous biological smuggling by Chinese UM “researchers”. At this point the program should be shut down, it’s obvious that China has been taking advantage of this arrangement and has no intention of following the rules." This statement highlights growing public and official scrutiny over such collaborations.

In November 2025, three Chinese national scholars—Xu Bai, Fengfan Zhang, and Zhiyong Zhang—were charged with conspiracy to smuggle biological materials into the United States and making false statements to Customs and Border Protection. These charges are linked to an earlier case involving Chengxuan Han, who was accused of shipping concealed biological materials related to roundworms to a UM laboratory. Han pleaded no contest to smuggling charges and was subsequently deported.

Earlier in June 2025, Yunqing Jian, a researcher at the University of Michigan, and her boyfriend, Zunyong Liu, faced charges for allegedly smuggling Fusarium graminearum, a toxic fungus capable of causing devastating crop diseases. US Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr. described this as a "potential agroterrorism weapon," noting allegations that Jian received Chinese government funding for her research and is a member of the Chinese Communist Party. The University of Michigan terminated the scholars after they reportedly refused to cooperate with an internal investigation.

FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized that "academic research cannot excuse illegal activity," while Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that such actions "threaten America’s national and agricultural security." These incidents underscore a broader concern among US officials about vulnerabilities within foreign student and exchange visitor programs being exploited, prompting calls for enhanced admissions procedures to safeguard national security.