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This issue has gained widespread attention in recent weeks. A report from The New York Post underscored the gravity of the situation, revealing how Chinese companies have targeted farmland near at least 19 U.S. military installations, ranging from Florida to Hawaii. The fear? These land purchases could pave the way for espionage or even sabotage.
“These locations can be used to set up intelligence collection sites, and the owners can be influential in local politics,” said Robert S. Spalding III, a retired U.S. Air Force brigadier general who specializes in U.S.-China relations. “It is alarming we do not have laws on the books that would prevent the Chinese from buying property in the U.S.,” he added, emphasizing the national security implications of these acquisitions.
Some of the military bases located near these Chinese-owned lands include Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg) in North Carolina, Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood) in Texas, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California, and MacDill Air Force Base in Florida. These bases play vital roles in U.S. defense, and any surveillance activity in their vicinity could seriously undermine national security.
Under the guise of farming, Chinese landowners may be establishing reconnaissance systems or using advanced technology to monitor nearby military installations, sources told The New York Post. Radar, infrared, and drone surveillance could all be employed to gather intelligence on military movements and strategies.
A Wall Street Journal report from September 2023 revealed that in recent years, there have been over 100 attempts by Chinese nationals to breach U.S. military facilities. One such incident involved an attempt to enter a missile range in New Mexico, while another involved scuba divers spotted near a government rocket launch site in Florida.
The FBI has raised the alarm over these ongoing security threats. In a statement earlier this year, FBI Director Christopher Wray labeled China a “grave threat,” warning that Chinese hackers have already gained access to critical U.S. infrastructure. Wray cautioned that these hackers are biding their time, waiting “for just the right moment to deal a devastating blow” to America.
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Adding to these concerns, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has flagged the infiltration of Chinese spies across the U.S. southern border. Since October of last year, over 30,000 Chinese nationals have been admitted into the country, many of whom DHS suspects may engage in economic espionage or seek to acquire sensitive U.S. technologies and intellectual property. However, despite these warnings, the Biden administration has made no significant changes to its border policies, and Vice President Kamala Harris, tasked with curbing illegal crossings, has yet to offer solutions.
Morgan Lerette, a former contractor for the private military company Blackwater, also voiced concerns about the strategic purpose behind China’s acquisition of American farmland. “The Chinese are, or will, use this farmland to learn more about U.S. military capabilities, movements, and technology,” Lerette said in an interview with The New York Post. He went on to suggest that the information gleaned from these acquisitions would assist China in developing its military strategy, particularly regarding its ambitions in Taiwan.
“This will allow them to better understand how to transition their military from a defensive strategy to an expeditionary one,” Lerette added. He warned that China could gain insight into how and when U.S. forces would respond to their movements by observing troop activities at these bases.
As concerns mount over China’s expanding presence near U.S. military installations, calls for legislative action to curb foreign land acquisitions are growing louder. Yet, despite these warnings from military experts, law enforcement, and even daytime TV personalities like Dr. Phil, the Biden administration has yet to take decisive steps to address this escalating threat.
