The Chinese spy bubble occurrence of early 2023 painted a visible image of the growing concern of Chinese espionage, enhancing concerns over the president’s purposes. As a result, attempts at the state level to restrain foreign ownership of farming and fragile system have gotten more aggressive.
Legislation in two-thirds of the state is being pushed by parliament to halt purchases of real estate by Chinese-controlled interests. This policy is almost wholly backed by Republicans. Legislation passed recently in Georgia and South Dakota that aimed to limit the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP ) strategic penetration of the United States.
In Georgia, SB 420, which parallels new legislation enacted in many different says, bans any “agent” of China from buying business area near military installations or any farm. Democrats called it biased, echoing State advertising language. In March, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem signed HB 1231, which bars China, as well as Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela, from purchasing land in the position. Much of this new success in the states may be attributed to a new party, State Armor, which launched last year under Michael Lucci’s management.
These state-level efforts raise questions about the impact of international land acquisitions on national security. However, opposition from business and real estate associations, concerns about economic effects, and political issues, such as direct force from the CCP through its United Front organizations, frequently provide substantial obstacles to the passing of such policy. Prior to this year, efforts to address foreign ownership of farmland and crucial infrastructure at the state level have had mixed success despite frequent bipartisan support and recognition of the need for action.
Why Owning Land in a Foreign Country Can Be A Problem
In recent years, the landscape of American real estate purchases by Chinese nationals or businesses has changed significantly. Initial motivations for these investments were to transfer savings away from the CCP’s reach and provide a home base for students attending prestigious universities; however, these investments have since expanded into the realm of farmland acquisitions, ringing the national security alarm bells.
The motivations behind these purchases of farmland and the food industry are tactical and fall under four distinct categories, the majority of which are good for U.S. interests.
Due to the historical impact of famines on China’s political stability, the CCP places a lot of emphasis on food security. China can secure food supplies by acquiring farmland and food production facilities in the United States, reducing the risks posed by its domestic food production dependence.
Intellectual Property: Chinese companies are looking for firsthand accounts of American farming practices. America is no. 1 in food production, and China wants in on that. This understanding can then be returned to China, a process that the Chinese have followed in other industries, where they work along the way from basic materials to complex products.
Espionage Opportunities: Another concerning trend is the proximity of Chinese- owned farmland and food production properties to sensitive U. S. military installations. This positioning makes it possible to observe military installations directly, improves electronic surveillance, and potentially serve as a covert base for Chinese espionage.
Biological Warfare: The existence of farmland owned by Chinese people raises questions about the potential spread of deadly pathogens into American food. Although large-scale farming operations may not be required for these attacks, the ownership of farmland may facilitate the spread of pathogens, destroying crops, or raising livestock.
The CCP and the real estate lobby frequently oppose efforts to address these national security risks through state or federal action. To oppose any regulatory measures, the latter may make use of comparisons to prior, discriminatory laws like the Chinese Exclusion Act.
However, recent developments highlight the need to address these issues. Revelations from an FBI investigation reveal China’s extensive efforts to establish electronic intelligence in the US, particularly in areas close to military installations. Huawei and ZTE, two Chinese telecom companies, have sold equipment to rural American providers, raising concerns about potential vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure.
National security is in grave danger from ZTE cell network equipment close to strategically important nuclear bases. The installation of such infrastructure next to military installations could lead to signal jamming, electronic surveillance, and potential disruption of crucial communications systems.
Using Real Estate to Surveill and Theft
The strategic mercantilism of China’s history further emphasizes the need for vigilance. The PRC’s ascendancy in key industries, including telecommunications, has been fueled by policies aimed at buying or stealing foreign technology, leveraging joint ventures, and undercutting competitors on price. The decline in American manufacturing dominance in the telecom industry serves as a warning of the effects of inaction in the face of strategic competition.
Previous incidents, such as China’s attempt to construct the National China Garden in Washington, D.C., which were ultimately rejected due to concerns about national security, highlight the significance of strategic real estate. Private transactions frequently evade similar scrutiny until after the fact.
Recent acquisitions of farmland close to military installations, such as the Fufeng Group’s com/economy/china-fufeng-north-dakota-corn-mill-project-halted-grand-forks-city-council”>purchase of land in Grand Forks, North Dakota, highlight the complex relationship between economic interests and national security imperatives. Although supporters may argue for economic benefits and the creation of new jobs, the potential risks associated with CCP involvement and military strategic goals cannot be overlooked.
Recent examples of farm purchases close to military installations, such as the Chinese’s purchase of land close to Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio, Texas, raise concerns even more. The 140, 000-acre ranch’s size raises concerns about potential cooperation with transnational criminal organizations and the use of the land for activities that go beyond purely commercial purposes.
Food security is important, but it’s also important to remember that the disruption of a single harvest cycle caused by Chinese land ownership does not equate to permanent damage. America retains vast amounts of arable land, much of it not currently in production, ensuring resilience in the face of potential disruptions. China ca n’t take the land with it.
The FBI’s ongoing counterintelligence investigations and expert warnings underscore the need to take steps to address the risks posed by Chinese-owned real estate. America is vulnerable to a range of threats, including biological warfare and electronic espionage, if it does n’t act quickly and decisively.
The urgency of protecting America’s interests and defending against external threats has never been greater as the threat of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan pergesges.
