Arizona Senate Passes Bill to Ban Certain Chinese Investments
The Arizona Senate has recently passed legislation aimed at prohibiting companies affiliated with the Chinese government from acquiring more than 30% of property in the state. This includes properties that are strategically significant for U.S. military operations.
The bill, which passed with a party-line vote of 17-11, emphasizes the need to “stop or reverse the Chinese Communist Party’s influence operations,” as lawmakers believe these actions pose a national security risk. They asserted the importance of protecting Arizona’s military, commercial, and agricultural assets from potential foreign espionage and interference.
In response, Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs expressed strong opposition to the bill, which has only intensified her unpopularity among Arizona Republicans. Hobbs criticized the legislation, contending that it is “anti-business and ineffective” in directly safeguarding military assets.
She argued that the bill lacks clear guidelines for implementation and could lead to arbitrary enforcement. In her view, the veto signifies a failure to uphold her obligations to protect the citizens of Arizona.
Janae Shamp, the Senate majority leader who sponsored the bill, accused Hobbs of advancing politically motivated vetoes that jeopardize public safety. Shamp reiterated that SB 1109 was a sensible measure to prevent enemies of the U.S. from easily accessing critical military infrastructure.
Concerns regarding China’s influence in the U.S. have been growing. Reports indicate that China has engaged in various activities that raise red flags, including sending spy craft over U.S. territory, operating illicit police stations, and coordinating cyberattacks on American systems.
The America First Policy Research Institute has highlighted that last year saw an uptick in Chinese entities acquiring land in the U.S., with Arizona emerging as a potential target for significant military installations.
Shamp went so far as to declare that Governor Hobbs’ veto of SB 1109 is a clear message that Arizona is open for Chinese investments, further drawing criticism from numerous officials.
Meanwhile, Republican candidate for governor, Karrin Taylor Robson, has promised to act against Chinese land acquisitions if she wins the upcoming election. The issue is fostering a debate on how best to protect state interests and national security.
In federal efforts, a bill introduced by Rep. Dan Newhouse aims to prevent agents tied to the Chinese government from buying property near federal lands. Despite various state and federal proposals emerging over the years, the path forward regarding property acquisition and national security remains contentious.
