The second-largest foreign landowner in the United States has been identified as Chen Tianqiao, a Chinese billionaire and member of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), as revealed by a comprehensive review of Chinese-language news reports conducted by the Daily Caller News Foundation.
According to The Land Report, Chen, who serves as the founder, chair, and CEO of the global investment firm Shanda Group, owns 198,000 acres of land in Oregon. The acquisition of the land, amounting to $85 million in 2015, positioned Chen as the 82nd-largest property owner in the U.S. and the second-largest foreign landowner, trailing behind a Canadian family with over 1 million acres in Maine, Bloomberg reported.
Reportedly, a portion of Chen's land, around 33,000 acres, encompasses Oregon's Bull Springs Skyline Forest. According to the Bull Springs Skyline Forest website, the region features springs, creeks, timberland, and wildlife.
In response to the Daily Caller report, Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, R-Ore., posted on X, "I'm deeply concerned that individuals tied to the Chinese Communist Party are buying up Oregon timberland. 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!"
Chen's real estate portfolio extends beyond rural areas, including urban properties like the Vanderbilt mansion in New York City, the Seeley Mudd Estate near Los Angeles, and a 150,000-square-foot research facility at the California Institute of Technology known as the Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Institute for Neuroscience, according to The Land Report.
The issue of Chinese ownership of U.S. land, particularly in the agricultural sector, has drawn increased scrutiny from Republican governors, who view it as a potential national security threat. Recent legislative and executive actions in states like Florida and Missouri reflect a growing awareness of these concerns, the Daily Caller reported.
"One of the Chinese Communist Party's goals is to undermine and weaken America," said Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. "This includes instances where our greatest adversary continues to buy land — whether farmland or near our installations."
Aside from his CCP membership, Chen's involvement in Chinese government affairs includes serving as a representative to the 11th and 12th councils of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference from 2008 to 2018. The government agency brings together various actors inside and outside the party and plays a crucial role in shaping domestic and foreign policies.
Chen has also held executive positions with the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, which is affiliated with the CCP. According to experts, the federation, described as a key contributor to the party's united front and economy-related work, operates under the influence of the United Front Work Department.
As concerns grow over China-affiliated U.S. land purchases, discussions within the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party suggest a need for heightened scrutiny and potential restrictions, particularly near national security sites.
Jim Thomas ✉
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.
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