Chinese Scholars Involved in Smuggling Conspiracy at University of Michigan

Recent reports indicate that additional Chinese scholars affiliated with the University of Michigan (UM) may be implicated in a smuggling conspiracy.

The Chinese Communist Party Special Committee revealed on Wednesday that three academics from UM were indicted, raising the total count of Chinese nationals involved in the smuggling operation to seven.

According to officials, this situation is part of a larger strategic initiative targeting universities nationwide, driven by China’s ambitions to acquire U.S. technology.

Back in June, the Justice Department charged Yunqing Jian, 33, and her partner, Zunyong Liu, 34, for illegally bringing fungi into the U.S. Authorities warned that the pathogen Fusarium graminearum could potentially be weaponized for agricultural attacks.

Liu claimed that he smuggled the organism to conduct research in the UM lab where Jian was employed.

Chengxuan Han, another academic at UM, was arrested in June for allegedly sending several packages containing biological materials associated with roundworms to a university laboratory.

Han, 28, received a short prison sentence in September and was expected to go back to China.

Three more Chinese nationals who worked at UM were dismissed following new allegations by the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan that tied them to a scheme for smuggling biological materials. These individuals, identified as Xu Bai, 28, Fengfan Zhang, 27, and Zhiyong Zhang, 30, now face charges related to this illicit activity and for misleading federal authorities.

One of Han’s packages was sent to Bai’s apartment in Ann Arbor. According to the complaint reviewed, Bai declined to cooperate with investigators.

Han reportedly dispatched additional packages to Zhang Fengfan and Zhang Zhiyong.

Interestingly, when questioned about receiving a package from Han, Zhang Zhiyong showed signs of nervousness but was unable to confirm whether she had received it.

Following an internal investigation into the laboratory led by Professor Sean Hsu, the three dismissed scholars reportedly did not cooperate. David Nacht, attorney for Professor Xu, stated that Xu had been forthcoming during the university’s investigation and had not been made aware of any federal inquiries into his actions.

Nacht also mentioned that the lab continues its operations, expressing that the research on nematodes poses no threat and has no evident military or commercial application.

In 2019, it is alleged that Zhiyong Zhang sent Xu a package with a petri dish filled with roundworms. Nacht emphasized that receiving such biological materials by mail was typical for Xu’s lab.

The termination of these three scholars at UM raises concerns about their visa status, potentially leading to deportation.

Representative John Moolener (R-Mich.), chair of the China Task Force, stated, “These new charges reveal a structured network of academics engaged in illegal activities at the University of Michigan.” He emphasized that this case is part of a broader, coordinated initiative targeting U.S. universities, fueled by China’s technology acquisition efforts. He urged university leaders to conduct internal reviews to safeguard research against hostile foreign actions.

The relevant institutions have been contacted for comments regarding this situation.