Chinese Communist Party Land Ownership is a Threat to Missouri’s Critical Infrastructure

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Chinese communist party (CCP) ownership of land in Missouri is a threat to Missouri’s military bases and critical infrastructure.

WHAT IS CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE?

Critical infrastructure is any asset that, if incapacitated, would have a debilitating effect on national security, economic security, or public health. Examples include gas and oil pipelines, electrical power grids, military installations, telecommunications facilities, and public transportation systems.

WHY SHOULD I BE CONCERNED ABOUT CCP ACCESS IN MISSOURI?

CCP acquisition of U.S. land is accelerating. Strategic land near military bases enables surveillance and sabotage, and land near critical infrastructure opens up vulnerable sites like our power, natural gas, petroleum, and water treatment facilities to physical assault. In 2023, a CCP spy balloon traversed the entire continental United States, including our most sensitive military bases. If left open to CCP control, our real property provides nearly limitless platforms for “permanent spy balloons.” According to U.S. Air Force Major Jeremy Fox, land near military bases may be used for espionage, including intercepting military communications between unmanned air systems and space-based assets.

WHAT CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND MILITARY BASES EXIST IN MISSOURI?

Missouri is home to three military bases. Among them is Whiteman Air Force Base, located in Knob Noster, which serves as the operational hub for the 509th Bomb Wing and houses the iconic B-2 Spirit stealth bomber. Fort Leonard Wood, an expansive Army training post in the Ozark region, prepares more than 80,000 recruits each year for roles from the military police to chemical engineering and leadership posts. Lastly, Fort Crowder, initially established as a World War II training base, was transformed into an Army reserve center centrally located in Neosho. In addition, Missouri is home to Callaway Nuclear Generating Station and Magnitude 7 Metals, which accounts for 30% of the Nation’s primary aluminum production.

WHAT CAN MISSOURI DO TO PROTECT ITS CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE?

States should ban foreign adversaries from owning or otherwise controlling property within a close radius surrounding a military installation. States should also ensure that all companies with access to critical infrastructure are conducting background checks on employees with significant access to that infrastructure. Finally, states should require the flagging of undeclared transactions, allowing officials and residents of the state to notify the attorney general, and ultimately the federal government, of concerning transactions.