Concerns Over Chinese Land Ownership Near US Military Bases
Last week, the Trump administration raised alarms about Chinese activities, specifically regarding the filming of farmland close to US military personnel. They also announced a ban on ownership or control by Chinese investors.
During a presentation, maps shared by high-ranking officials, including the Attorney General and the Secretaries of Defense, Homeland Security, and Agriculture, indicated extensive areas in Maricopa County. They even highlighted parts of Yuma County.
However, recent federal data reveals that only one property in Arizona is owned by Chinese investors—the 322 acres in Chandler, which is about 110 miles from the highlighted ground. The maps exaggerated the scope of the issue, painting the entire county, the fifteenth largest in the country, which spans 9,200 square miles, with inaccurate information. Notably, the source of these claims was a flawed 2021 list citing 9,892 acres owned by Chinese interests in Arizona.
This map appeared in the conservative New York Post about a year ago. The USDA had updated its listings in September of the previous year.
Most of the land referenced in those discussions is actually associated with Walton International Group, a global property management firm based in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Yet, the only parcel directly connected to China is Chandler’s. It seems there was an oversight when the Wall Street Journal inquired about Walton’s holdings last fall, which led the company to request a correction from the USDA.
Activities on Walton’s land include significant plots totaling 8,670 acres in Pinal County and 900 acres in Maricopa County, both mistakenly attributed to Chinese ownership. In reality, the current owners are from Canada, Germany, Singapore, and Malaysia—all US allies.
Most of this property is designated for residential projects, with notable developments like the Buckeye’s 290-acre Vista Bonita.
Additionally, a 315-acre site in Pinal County, owned by a Singapore entity, is set to be transformed into a solar farm. This initiative, managed by EDF Renewables—part of a French energy company—is expected to commence operations in 2028.
The only Chinese-owned site in Chandler was acquired in 1983 and has no affiliation with Walton Group. Records from the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office reveal that the property comprises a $400,000 condo and a home worth nearly $1 million. Its location is just north of the Bear Creek Golf Complex, bordered by Okochiro Road and East Chandler Heights Road.
According to the USDA’s latest figures, Chinese investors own about 277,336 acres of US farmland, constituting less than 1% of total foreign-owned farmland.
Nonetheless, there are genuine apprehensions. In May 2024, President Biden mandated that a Chinese group operating a cryptocurrency firm dispose of land used for server farms located next to Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming, a site for nuclear missiles.
“The foreign ownership of land near strategic US military sites poses a significant threat to national security,” asserted Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a July 8 press briefing.
At the state level, policymakers are taking action regarding China’s presence in Arizona. During a recent congressional session, a bill aimed at preventing foreign entities from acquiring over 30% of shares near military installations was vetoed by Governor Katie Hobbs, who termed it “anti-spioneered and ineffective.” However, she later approved a similar bill from the GOP-controlled Congress.
The enacted law restricts land ownership by “foreign enemy governments,” defined as nations identified as threats to national security for three consecutive years. This list includes China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia.
Data from the USDA indicates that while Arizona is associated with 3,030 acres linked to Iranian ownership nationwide, none of these acres are located within Arizona itself. Russian ownership amounts to 11 acres in Virginia, and North Korea holds no US land.
“We believe this law will safeguard military facilities and critical infrastructure during times of rising foreign threats,” Hobbs commented upon signing the new legislation.
In total, 26 states have enacted restrictions or outright bans on foreign ownership and investment in farmland. Despite this, there are no federal laws currently prohibiting such practices, only recent executive actions.
Agriculture Secretary Brook Rollins aims to “reclaim” land previously in the possession of China and other adversaries. She indicated plans for swift legislative and enforcement measures to prevent foreign adversaries from acquiring American farmland.
Attorney General Pam Bondi mentioned a recent arrest involving two Chinese nationals who were allegedly smuggling biological weapon samples. They intended to research these at the University of Michigan.
Meanwhile, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, criticized the crackdown as discriminatory, asserting it violated international trade principles. “The US is flaunting its national security narrative, denying certain countries and their citizens the right to purchase farmland,” he claimed last week.
Additionally, the Government Accountability Office has scrutinized the USDA’s data collection methods, identifying errors in a recent report, including a 27,000-acre property linked to China being counted twice.
