There are concerns with Chinese purchases of land near U.S. military based regarding national security and espionage, according to a special report by the Epoch Times. In May, President Joe Biden issued an executive order shutting down MineOne Partners Ltd., a Chinese-owned firm near Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming. Chinese investors made the most land transactions among foreign nationals from 2020 to 2022, prompting increased federal and state attention. Despite significant Chinese land holdings in states like Texas and North Carolina, federal legislation to limit such purchases has stalled.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) identified weaknesses in tracking foreign land purchases, calling for better coordination and data sharing. At a congressional hearing, lawmakers expressed alarm over Beijing’s efforts to undermine U.S. security, emphasizing the threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Chinese telecommunications firms installing cell towers near military bases raised suspicions of eavesdropping. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency warned of Chinese hackers pre-positioning for potential cyberattacks. Experts advocate for a holistic government approach to address CCP threats, suggesting moving CFIUS oversight from the Treasury to the Defense Department.
State-level actions include bans on foreign adversaries owning land near military facilities, with several states enacting such laws. High-profile cases, like Chinese land purchases near Laughlin Air Force Base in Texas and Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota, have intensified scrutiny. The federal government has expanded CFIUS’s powers to include more sensitive military sites.
Bottom line: Concerns about espionage, intellectual property theft, and potential sabotage of the U.S. food supply underscore the need for vigilant monitoring of foreign land purchases near critical infrastructure.
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