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Recent news has revealed a shocking case involving two Chinese nationals, Yunqing Jian and Zunyong Liu, who faced charges for attempting to smuggle a dangerous fungus into the United States. This fungus has been classified as a potential weapon for agroterrorism, raising serious concerns among national security experts.
The implications of this incident extend far beyond a mere legal case. Many Americans might have been startled to learn that a foreign entity attempted such an audacious smuggling operation. Nevertheless, this incident underscores a broader context involving the U.S. relationship with China.
Historical Context of U.S.-China Relations
After the Cold War, a prevailing belief emerged in the United States that China had transitioned towards becoming a democratic and cooperative global partner. This perception, however, appears overly optimistic in retrospect. China has aggressively pursued policies aimed at becoming the leading global economic and military power, often at the expense of the United States.
China engages with the United States on imbalanced trade terms and employs currency manipulation tactics, resulting in massive trade deficits for the U.S. Furthermore, there are ongoing concerns about intellectual property theft. Chinese businesses and government entities frequently exploit American companies, forcing them into coerced technology transfers under the guise of collaboration.
Espionage and Intelligence Challenges
The issue of espionage is another critical concern in the context of U.S.-China relations. It is widely recognized that China conducts extensive spying operations within the United States. Conversely, while the U.S. engages in its own surveillance efforts, it lacks the vast network of individuals that China can mobilize. Currently, there are approximately 280,000 Chinese students in the U.S., far outnumbering the fewer than 1,000 American students studying in China.
Additionally, China’s 2017 National Intelligence Law mandates all organizations and citizens support national intelligence operations. This law enables China to exploit its diaspora, including students and permanent residents, to engage in espionage, often through coercive means.
Security Breaches
Recent incidents have raised alarms regarding unauthorized access to sensitive U.S. locations. In March 2024, a Chinese individual illegally entered a Marine Corps base in California, highlighting vulnerabilities within American military installations. According to reports, there have been numerous instances of individuals, both legal and illegal immigrants from China, accessing or photographing sensitive government sites.
The Risk of Escalating Conflict
As tensions with China rise, the likelihood of a military confrontation in the upcoming decade cannot be dismissed. Chinese military expansion, particularly in naval and aerial capabilities, poses significant challenges for the U.S. military, which is currently facing recruitment and technological hurdles.
If a conflict were to arise, the risk extends to threats within the United States. A small fraction of the Chinese population residing in the U.S. could potentially cause severe damage to national security. Additionally, over 25,000 Chinese nationals with criminal backgrounds remain in the U.S. because China refuses to accept their deportation. Recently, data revealed that in Fiscal Year 2024, over 78,000 Chinese nationals entered the U.S. illegally, underscoring potential security risks.
Infrastructure Vulnerabilities
With such a large presence of Chinese nationals in the U.S., the threat to critical infrastructure cannot be ignored. Areas such as water supply, electricity grids, and internet services are all at risk. Furthermore, there is a possibility that engineered biological threats could be deployed within the country, potentially causing harm that far exceeds that of the COVID-19 pandemic, which many believe originated from a Chinese laboratory.
The risk of bioweapons, particularly agricultural threats like the fungus Jian and Liu attempted to smuggle, poses significant concerns. This specific fungus can cause head blight in cereal crops, threatening food security in the U.S.
Addressing the Threat
U.S. authorities must confront this complex issue with seriousness and urgency. Over the last generation, the vetting of Chinese students, businesses, and cultural exchanges has been insufficient. This lax approach has raised alarms about national security.
In 2020, Chinese buyers were the top foreign investors in U.S. commercial real estate, holding 384,000 acres in 2021. Many of these transactions involved shell companies that obscured the true ownership. There have also been attempts by Chinese entities to acquire land near U.S. military installations.
The current administration needs a strategic reevaluation of its approach to protecting American interests. Reports indicated that the Biden administration scaled back efforts designed to safeguard American technology from Chinese influence. Additionally, there have been significant changes to the vetting process for Chinese immigrants, resulting in heightened scrutiny.
A Call for Vigilance
During the Cold War, the U.S. remained vigilant against foreign powers seeking to undermine national security. The same level of scrutiny is necessary today regarding China. Customs and Border Protection recently demonstrated effectiveness in detecting hidden threats, but ongoing vigilance and adequate funding for national security agencies are essential.
It is imperative for the U.S. government to prioritize the protection of sensitive technology, intellectual property, and the thorough vetting of visiting students and researchers from China. Given the scope of the threats posed, now is the time for a comprehensive strategy to address and mitigate these risks to national security.
