- Chengxuan Han, a CCP member and doctoral student from Wuhan's Huazhong University, was arrested at Detroit Airport for smuggling undocumented biological materials (roundworm-related petri dishes, DNA plasmids) into the U.S. while lying to customs about the contents.
- Han deleted her device data before arrival, claiming she wanted to "start afresh." She concealed her CCP affiliation and shipped five to 10 suspicious packages labeled as "surprises" to unwitting recipients, some lost in transit.
- The case reflects growing U.S. concerns about foreign interference in academia, following similar charges against Chinese nationals smuggling harmful biological materials (e.g., crop-killing fungi). Prosecutors called it part of a Beijing-backed smuggling threat.
- Han's university is near the Wuhan Institute of Virology, fueling scrutiny amid unresolved debates about COVID-19's origins. The case underscores tensions over intellectual property theft and biosecurity risks.
- Han initially failed to secure a visa due to poor English but was approved days later after suddenly speaking "credibly" about her research. Officials warn such actions undermine legitimate academic work and pose public safety threats.
In a case that highlights the risk of bioterrorism from Beijing, a Chinese doctoral student was arrested at Detroit Metropolitan Airport for allegedly smuggling biological research materials into the U.S. while concealing her ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Chengxuan Han, a researcher from the Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) in China's central Wuhan province, was taken into custody Sunday, June 8. Her apprehension followed federal agents intercepting four packages containing undocumented roundworm-related materials sent to a University of Michigan laboratory.
Han was later charged with smuggling goods and making false statements. According to court filings, she initially lied to customs officials, claiming the packages contained plastic cups and a book. The researcher later admitted that they held petri dishes, nematode growth medium and plasmids, small DNA molecules used in genetic research.
Prosecutors allege Han deleted the contents of her electronic devices before arriving in the U.S., telling agents she wanted to "start afresh." Meanwhile, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) noted that Han – a CCP member – had shipped an estimated five to 10 packages, some of which were lost in transit. She described the contents of the packages as "surprises" for recipients unaware of their contents.
From campus to crime: How Chinese researchers exploit U.S. universities
The case marked the latest in a series of cases raising alarms about foreign interference in American academia. It followed recent charges against two other Chinese nationals accused of smuggling a crop-killing fungus, underscoring growing scrutiny of foreign researchers suspected of exploiting U.S. academic collaborations. (Related: Chinese nationals charged with smuggling potential agroterrorism fungus into the U.S.)
Jerome Gorgon, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, called Han's actions "part of an alarming pattern that threatens our security." He emphasized that American taxpayers should not fund "a [People's Republic of China]-based smuggling operation" at public institutions.
Historical context adds weight to the allegations: HUST has faced prior scrutiny due to its proximity to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which was central to debates about the origins of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19). The case also reflects escalating U.S.-China tensions over intellectual property theft, with universities increasingly seen as soft targets for espionage.
In 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice launched the "China Initiative" to counter economic espionage. Critics denounced the endeavor, arguing it fueled racial profiling – a claim officials deny, citing documented cases of Chinese researchers concealing their ties to the CCP and the People's Liberation Army.
Han's visa approval raises further questions. Initially rejected for poor English proficiency, she secured a J-1 visa days later after "speak[ing] credibly" about her research. Her work, focused on roundworm neural circuits, aligns with broader biological studies – but prosecutors argue the clandestine shipments violated clear import rules.
John Nowak, acting Customs and Border Protection director of field operations, warned that such actions "undermine the legitimate work of other visiting scholars." Meanwhile, Cheyvoryea Gibson, FBI special agent in charge for the bureau's Detroit office, dubbed the smuggling a "direct threat to public safety."
As Han awaits potential indictment, her case highlights the delicate balance between academic collaboration and national security. With China's aggressive pursuit of biotechnology dominance, U.S. officials vow heightened vigilance.
Watch China affairs expert Gordon Chang explaining that the smuggling of a crop-killing fungus into America is part of a concerted effort by Beijing against Washington.
This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.
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