DeSantis Signs Law Restricting Chinese Land Purchases

Florida joined more than a dozen states in restricting land purchases by China. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed the legislation, which attempts to reduce the influence of the Chinese Communist Party, he said.

The governor signed the Interests of Foreign Countries bill into law, which would restrict Chinese citizens with non-tourist visas from owning properties larger than two acres and bar ownership within five miles of military installations.

The governor also signed the Prohibited Applications on Government-issued Devices bill, which bars two Chinese-owned social media apps, TikTok and WeChat, from any Florida government electronics.

The governor said that “we don’t want the CCP in the Sunshine State.” He said that Beijing “established a position of economic might, of industrial hegemony and their military is far stronger today than it was 20 or 25 years ago.”

He described Chinese President Xi Jinping as “very ideological” and “intent on expanding CCP influence, not just in their region but around the globe.”

DeSantis signed a third bill into law, Agreements of Educational Entities with Foreign Entities, which limits the ability for any “foreign country of concern,” such as China, from donating to Florida’s education system or engaging in partnerships with universities in the state.

The Florida effort mirrors that of a number of states across the union.

There is some federal movement toward a similar ban. The United States is restricting foreign land purchases within 100 miles of some military facilities.

The Treasury Department rule would require foreign citizens and companies to receive permission from Washington prior to purchasing land near eight military bases.

Much of the concern arose after a Chinese company attempted to build a $700 million corn mill 12 miles from Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota.

A number of local and state officials opposed the project, including both of North Dakota’s senators and Gov. Doug Burgum (R).

The local government rejected the Chinese company’s plan and the Air Force said that it had concerns that the project could threaten American national security.