Field Information Report — pp. 1–4

e Chairman Rand Paul, M.D. COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY & GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS Federal Officials Intercepted Undeclared Biological Materials Tied to a U.S.-China Coronavirus-Research Network as Early as 2018 Years before the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) intercepted undeclared biological materials tied to a network of American and Chinese coronavirus researchers centered on the University of Minnesota lab of virologist Fang ▮ In April 2018, Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) scientist Zhengli Shi asked University of Minnesota's Fang ▮ to have a student bring antibodies for SARS-work "back to China." That October, a student in the lab offered to send live ▮ a swine coronavirus, to a prominent American researcher. One month later, CBP pulled three undeclared vials—concealed in paper towel and wax film—from a courier who named Yusen Zhou of China’s Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS) as the source. A joint DHS/FBI laboratory later confirmed the vials held antibody genetic material and ▮ spike-protein material. In 2021, the same courier was stopped again at a U.S. airport with undeclared vials and a laptop belonging to someone else. ▮ THE RECORDS ▮ WIV’s Dr. Shi proposed moving antibodies outside normal channels. Dr. Zhengli Shi asked Fang ▮ to have one of his students take monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) from the U.S. to China for SARS-related coronavirus testing. Fang ▮ told Shi that it was not a good idea “given the current tension between USA and China” and suggested another scientist ship the antibodies to China. Fang Li’s student coordinated a shipment of ▮ live virus to Ralph Baric. Qibin Geng, a student in Fang Li’s lab, requested Ralph Baric’s address for shipping ▮ live virus (a swine coronavirus) with a growth protocol attached. A courier was caught bringing mRNA and ▮ spike-protein material from China. CBP officers stopped an inbound traveler, Courier 1, carrying three vials concealed in paper towel and wax film, undeclared. Courier 1 said Yusen Zhou supplied them for Fang ▮ DHS/FBI testing later found the vials contained precursor ▮ and ▮ spike-protein material. The same courier was caught again—with 132 vials and a laptop that didn’t belong to him. Courier 1 was stopped in June 2021, this time outbound to China, carrying 132 undeclared vials that CBP reported likely contained a species of fly commonly used as a model organism in biological research. Courier 1 was also carrying a laptop issued by a U.S. research institution to another person, along with the credentials to log into it. ▮ [redacted] ▮ review and ▮ transportaion From: zlshi <zlshi@wh.iov.cn> To: lifang <lifang@umn.edu> ▮ Chuming Luo <chumingluo1989@gmail.com>, 2 ▮ #% <chine.lcom@163.com> Sent: April 23, 2018 12:41:01 ▮ [redacted] ▮ Received: April 23, 2018 12:41:12 ▮ [redacted] ▮ Dear Fang, Thank you for your contribution to the review and suggestion for antobody shipment. The meeting in October, sorry for missing the information. Best regards, Zhengli, ▮ Zhengli, ▮ D Senior Scientist & Professor Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences ▮ Xiao Hong Shan 430071 Wuhan, Hubei China Tel & Fax: (0086) 27 87197240 Email: zlshi@wh.iov.cn From: Fang ▮ Date: 2018-04-23 13:30 To: zishi ▮ Chuming Luo; 7 #+% Subject: ▮ [redacted] ▮ review and ▮ transportaion Dear Zhengli, Yes, I am working on the review and should be able to send you a draft in 2 or 3 days. The antibodies: I don't think it is a good idea to let Chuming take antibodies with him. Given the current tension between USA and China, this can put Chuming under risks. Please ask Lanying to ship the antibodies to you. Which month is the meeting? Thanks, Fang On Sun, Apr ▮ 2018 at 8:56 ▮ zlshi <zlshi@wh.iov.cn> wrote: Dear Fang; I trust you are preparing the ▮ review article. I would like to ask you a favor to recetve some mAb to be sent by Lanying. Thes mAbs will be used to test the efficiency against SARS-relalted CoV infection in animal models and are expected to be brought back to China by Chuming. If you agree, Chuming will be in charge of the following arrangement. Third issue, our Institute will host a biennual meeting on emerging viral diseases from 20-22nd. We will be happy to invite you to particiapte in this meeting at your available time. Best regards, Zhengli, ▮ Zhengli, ▮ D Senior Scientist & Professor Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences ▮ Xiao Hong Shan 430071 Wuhan, Hubei China Tel & Fax: (0086) 27 87197240 Email: zlshi@wh.iov.cn Fang ▮ Ph.D. Associate Professor Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences University of Minnesota Twin Cities 612-625-6149, lifang@umn.edu http:/Awww.msi.umn.edu/~lifang Message From: Qibin Geng I edu] Sent: 10/25/2018 2:17:34 ▮ To: Baric, Ralph S jemail.unc.edu] ▮ Fang ▮ [lifang@umn.edu] Subject: Shipping of ▮ virus and pAPN protein Attachments: PEDv Virus Expansion.pdf ▮ Dr. Baric, I'm Qibin Geng, a student from Dr. Fang Li's lab. As Dr. ▮ informed, now I am going to send you the pAPN protein and ▮ live virus to test whether pAPN protein could inhibit live PEDV's entry. I have enclosed an ▮ for ▮ expansion. If necessary, ▮ could also ship the Anti-PEDV N protein to you for the detection of ▮ virus. Could you please tell me your shipping address and when it is appropriate for you to receive these samples? Or someone that I could contact with for the receiving? Thanks very much! Any questions please let me know. Best, Qibin Geng ol