Chinese Scholars Caught Smuggling Biological Materials Into US

Three Chinese nationals who posed as academic scholars have been charged with conspiring to smuggle biological materials into the United States, in what authorities are calling yet another alarming example of foreign nationals abusing America’s academic system to further hostile agendas.

The Department of Justice announced on Wednesday that Xu Bai, 28, Fengfan Zhang, 27, and Zhiyong Zhang, 30 all in the U.S. under the J-1 visa exchange program have been indicted for making false statements to Customs and Border Protection agents while smuggling biological materials related to roundworms from China. The materials were shipped under the pretense of research at the University of Michigan, specifically at the Shawn Xu Laboratory in Ann Arbor.

These so-called scholars weren’t just cutting corners. They were part of what officials describe as a "long and alarming pattern" of Chinese nationals engaging in criminal activity under the cover of university programs. U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgen did not mince words. "These three men are part of a long and alarming pattern of criminal activities committed by Chinese nationals under the cover of the University of Michigan."

The shipments came from Chengxuan Han, a Chinese Ph.D. student in Wuhan, China yes, that Wuhan who had previously been convicted for similar offenses in the U.S. before being deported. After Han’s expulsion, the university initiated an internal investigation. When Bai, Zhang, and Zhang refused to cooperate, they were fired and became eligible for removal from the country.

Customs agents intercepted them on October 16 at JFK Airport in New York, just before they boarded a flight back to China. While one suspect lied about his connection to Han, the other two admitted to receiving shipments even after Han was deported.

This isn’t just a minor visa violation. This is a national security threat, and it’s part of a disturbing trend:

• Over 80% of all espionage-related cases charged by the DOJ in the past decade have involved individuals linked to China.

• A 2023 congressional report found that U.S. universities received over $1 billion in unreported funding from Chinese entities.

• In 2020, the Trump administration shut down the Chinese consulate in Houston, citing its role as a hub for spying and intellectual property theft.

The response from federal agencies has been sharp and decisive. “Allegedly attempting to smuggle biological materials under the guise of ‘research’ is a serious crime that threatens America’s national and agricultural security,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi.

FBI Director Kash Patel put it even more bluntly. “Academic research cannot excuse illegal activity.”

Officials from ICE, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and Customs and Border Protection are calling for stricter controls on foreign student and exchange programs, which remain wide open to exploitation under current federal guidelines.

ICE Director Todd M. Lyons made the point clear. “Educational institutions must enhance their admissions procedures to prevent exploitation, which can pose risks to national security.”

This incident isn’t just about three rogue researchers it’s about systemic vulnerability. China continues to use open academic doors as a backchannel for influence, theft, and worse, all while the Biden administration remains largely silent on the matter.

As America prepares for 2024 and beyond, the question is not whether threats like this will continue but whether we’ll have the leadership to stop them.

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