Chinese Researcher Wanted By FBI Taking Refuge In San Francisco Consulate

The FBI has alleged that a Chinese scientist accused of visa fraud is apparently taking refuge in China's consulate in San Francisco to avoid arrest.

The revelation comes at the time of increased tensions between China and the U.S., following the forced closure of the Chinese consulate in Houston on Wednesday.

According to the court documents filed July 20, Tang Juan, who was a biology researcher at the University of California, Davis, was issued a non-immigrant visa after she allegedly lied about her connection to the Chinese military.

"(The) investigation revealed photographs of her in the uniform of the Civilian Cadre of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), and that she had been employed as a researcher at the Air Force Military Medical University (FMMU)," the court filings stated.

Following this, Tang was interviewed by the FBI agents on June 20, when she denied serving in the Chinese military.

"She claimed she did not know the meaning of the insignia on her uniform, and that wearing a military uniform was required for attendance at FMMU because it was a military school," the court filings stated.

The same day, a search warrant was executed at Tang’s residence. During the search, further evidence of Tang’s PLA affiliation was found.

"The FBI assesses that, at some point following the search and interview of Tang on June 20, 2020, Tang went to the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco, where the FBI assesses she has remained," the court filings stated.

On Wednesday, the U.S. State Department gave China three days to close the consulate in Houston.

Morgan Ortagus, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, said the consulate was ordered to close down "in order to protect American intellectual property and Americans' private information." However, the details regarding what prompted the closure were not known.

Meanwhile, apart from Tang, the record also named several other Chinese scientists in the United States who allegedly are part of a "program conducted by the PLA -- and specifically, FMMU or associated institutions -- to send military scientists to the United States on false pretenses with false covers or false statements about their true employment."

"There exists evidence in at least one of these cases of a military scientist copying or stealing information from American institutions at the direction of military superiors in China. There additionally exists evidence of the PRC government instructing these individuals to destroy evidence and in coordinating efforts regarding the departure of these individuals from the United States,” the court filings stated.