Chinese Communist Second-Largest Foreign Owner Of US Land

As concerns grow over outside ownership of U.S. soil, it is revealed that the second-largest foreign owner of American farmland is a Chinese billionaire. Even worse, he is part of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and holds prominent positions in CCP organizations.

A report by the Daily Caller News Foundation determined that Chen Tianqiao owns 198,000 acres of Oregon land. The $85 million purchase was consummated in 2015 and pushed Chen to the second-largest foreign landowner.

According to Bloomberg, a Canadian family owns more than 1 million acres in Maine. 

One Republican lawmaker voiced her anger over the news. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR) declared she is “deeply concerned” that an individual connected to the CCP is a major owner of Oregon timberland.

She added on X, formerly Twitter, “I’m proud to be an original cosponsor of two proposals that seek to prevent competitors and adversaries of the U.S. from purchasing our valuable land!”

Another GOP lawmaker, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), noted the CCP desires to “undermine and weaken America. This includes instances where our greatest adversary continues to buy land — whether farmland or near our installations.” 

Chen reportedly joined the CCP as an 18-year-old and is a fierce admirer of Mao Zedong. Chinese media noted his corporate offices prominently display the written works of the leader of the country’s communist revolution. 

According to the Beijing-operated China News Service, Chen prefers a particular Mao quote. “Strategically we should despise all our enemies, but tactically we should take them all seriously.” 

The obvious question is a simple one. Does anyone, even the most liberal Democrat, believe that permitting Chinese Communists to purchase precious U.S. land is a good idea?

It is notable that Chen’s incursion into owning U.S. properties is hardly limited to the Oregon wilderness. According to the Land Report, he owns the Vanderbilt Mansion in Manhattan, the Seeley Mudd Estate in California and a massive research facility at Caltech.

At the forefront of opposition to foreign ownership of American resources are Republican governors. Several took action in the interests of national security to thwart Chinese ownership.

Earlier this month, Republican Missouri Gov. Mike Parson issued an executive order prohibiting purchasing of land near U.S. military installations. More such orders are needed.