Concerns Raised Over Chinese-Affiliated Trailer Park Near Military Base

On Thursday, Missouri Republican Rep. Mark Alford requested a confidential briefing from the federal government about a trailer park linked to the Chinese government that is located adjacent to Whiteman Air Force Base, according to a letter obtained by a news outlet.

In his letter, Alford is asking if the U.S. Treasury Department’s Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) examined the 2017 acquisition of the Knob Noster Trailer Park, situated just north of the military base in rural Missouri. The park is owned by a network of shell companies, ultimately controlled by a Canadian couple, Esther May and Chen Fu, who are affiliated with a group led by a controversial Chinese businessman and alleged former intelligence operative associated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

“I am writing with serious concern about reports that the Nob Noster Trailer Park, less than a mile from Whiteman Air Force Base, may be connected to a CCP affiliate,” Alford mentioned in his letter. “Whiteman Air Force Base hosts the B-2 stealth bomber and is vital to our national defense as part of our nuclear triad. The prospect of foreign ownership of land next to a significant military site raises alarming national security issues.”

A spokesperson from Whiteman Air Force Base did not provide comments and directed inquiries to the Department of the Army, which had not responded by the time of publication.

“The report indicates that the Nob Noster Trailer Park is owned by a Chinese-Canadian couple involved with the ‘New Chinese Federal State’ and other groups connected to Miles Guo, an individual accused of being a CCP intelligence official,” Alford’s letter continued.

Mei and Hu have hosted multiple events for the New Federal State of China, a political initiative founded by Guo in 2017 with intentions to “overthrow” the Chinese Communist Party. While Guo claims to be the CCP’s number one adversary, he has also acknowledged his close relations with Chinese intelligence and was convicted in July 2024 for orchestrating a scheme to defraud over $1 billion.

In an interview, Alford stated that the former commander of Whiteman Air Force Base was unaware of the couple’s ownership of the trailer park and their ties to Guo.

In his discussion with NewsNation, Alford argued that his proposed legislation would enhance protections for military installations. The measure aims to prohibit hostile foreign entities from owning land in the U.S.

Michael Rucci, the founder and CEO of State Armor, remarked that “Congressman Alford’s proposals are overdue and should mark the beginning of a complete reevaluation of how our security agencies respond to Chinese incursions.”

Rucci emphasized the necessity for CFIUS to disclose any ownership involving CCP affiliates near Whiteman and called for increased scrutiny of foreign property ownership in the U.S. He also noted that China has been targeting critical military installations and infrastructure across the nation. He believes measures should be taken to expel Chinese operatives and safeguard American assets.

L.J. Eads, a former Air Force intelligence analyst, mentioned that CFIUS hasn’t been structured to thwart hostile nations from using shell companies to gain land close to U.S. military facilities. He noted that while Alford’s proposed bill could help, it likely wouldn’t have stopped the purchase of the Nob Noster Trailer Park, given that May and Hu seem to be Canadian citizens.

Eads also remarked on the broader implications, highlighting how the CCP operates beyond conventional surveillance methods and engages in espionage and illicit activities within the U.S.