Expert Warns of 'Worse than Covid' Bio-weapon Risk after Fungus Smuggling Arrests
The recent arrest of two Chinese nationals for allegedly smuggling a hazardous agricultural fungus into the United States has prompted a stark warning from a prominent China expert, who suggests the incident should be viewed as a hostile act with potentially devastating implications. Gordon G. Chang, a leading analyst on China, has cautioned that without decisive preventative measures, the US could face a threat "even worse" than the COVID-19 pandemic.
This warning follows the filing of a federal criminal complaint against Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34. They are accused of conspiring to illegally import Fusarium graminearum, a fungal pathogen known to cause "head blight," a destructive disease in crucial crops like wheat, barley, and maize. The U.S. Department of Justice has noted that the fungus is identified in scientific literature as a potential agro-terrorism agent, capable of causing billions in agricultural losses and posing health risks to humans and livestock.
Investigators revealed that the couple had previously studied the fungus in China and allege Jian received funding from the Chinese government for related research. In an interview with Fox News, Mr. Chang described the smuggling as an act of hostility against the United States, urging a strong response, including potentially cutting off engagement with Beijing, to avert a future crisis.
His grave assessment elevates the case beyond a simple bio-security breach, framing it within the context of national security and the potential for agricultural bio-weapons. This perspective adds a new layer of concern to ongoing debates about international bio-security, drawing parallels to the widespread disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
