Imagine slipping into a foreign nation without raising any alarms, without firing a gun or instigating a conflict.

Instead of overtly aggressive tactics, you just acquire land, one parcel at a time.

This description fits what China is doing in the U.S. today.

It seems increasingly apparent that the Chinese Communist Party is relentless in its effort to exert influence here. They have already been stealing intellectual property, undermining our markets, hacking into computer systems, and manipulating Americans—especially those influencing our youth—through social media propaganda.

Now, they have turned their attention toward one of our most precious assets: our land.

As of 2022, foreign entities, including China, owned around 43.4 million acres of farmland in the U.S., which is about 2% of the total land.

This isn’t just some random occurrence; it’s a calculated strategy to weaken America from within. Consider that the Chinese Communist Party alone acquired over 349,000 acres across 27 states last year.

Some might dismiss this concern as paranoia or a conspiracy theory, especially among progressives. But I feel compelled to share my family’s history with the communist threat.

My great-grandparents were soldiers for Chiang Kai-shek against the Chinese Communists and later escaped to Taiwan to escape tyranny.

While Communist China has often been noted for its aggressiveness toward Taiwan, they have also historically shown a level of restraint in the U.S.—perhaps due to a respect for the rule of law here, alongside a belief in liberty.

This very concern about foreign land acquisition is why Congress passed the Alabama Property Protection Act in 2023, spearheaded by House Majority Leader Scott Stadhagen. This legislation prohibits hostile nations—like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea—from buying land in Alabama.

Additionally, it restricts land purchases within a 10-mile radius of military facilities or critical infrastructure, including power grids and nuclear plants.

Last year, China purchased land located near 19 U.S. military bases, including notable locations like Fort Hood in Texas and Camp Pendleton in California. Thanks to proactive laws, Alabama’s facilities remain secure.

Other states should certainly consider replicating Alabama’s measures without delay.

President Trump was the first to call out China as a significant threat, and he’s absolutely right.

While we depend on China for essential supplies like medical equipment, computer chips, and semiconductors, it poses an ongoing threat to our national security. Trump’s initiative to reestablish manufacturing jobs in America and enforce transparency in foreign investments is essential going forward.

That’s the vision I carry for Alabama—a state protected and resistant to foreign threats.

True leadership is needed across the board to stand firm against China. As Alabama’s next state auditor, I aim to safeguard our state’s resources and broadcast that Alabama is not for sale to foreign adversaries.