US Land Sale Blocked Over Chinese Military Ties

Gov. Spencer Cox speaks during IOC press conference

Gov. Spencer Cox speaks during IOC press conference, Cox breaks ground for new Washington County center, Cox breaks ground for mental health center, Cox cuts ribbon at Business Innovation Center, Cox speaks at TikTok lawsuit press conference, Cox joins Lee for Disagree Better Initiative, Cox attends community prayer event in Cedar City

Utah has blocked a land sale near Provo Airport to Cirrus Aircraft due to its ties regarding the Chinese military through AVIC. A new state law bars foreign entities deemed national security threats from purchasing property, and Gov. Spencer Cox has emphasized the importance of protecting land near military operations. Cox also condemned the Chinese government's restrictions on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, reaffirming Utah's commitment to religious freedoms.

Cox breaks ground for new Washington County center

Gov. Spencer Cox speaks during IOC press conference, Cox breaks ground for new Washington County center, Cox breaks ground for mental health center, Cox cuts ribbon at Business Innovation Center, Cox speaks at TikTok lawsuit press conference, Cox joins Lee for Disagree Better Initiative, Cox attends community prayer event in Cedar City

Cox stated, “Utah is reaffirming a strong message that it’s been sending for several years: We will not allow adversarial foreign entities to buy up strategic land in our state.” He noted that the opposition is directed toward the Chinese government, not its people.

Cox breaks ground for mental health center

Gov. Spencer Cox speaks during IOC press conference, Cox breaks ground for new Washington County center, Cox breaks ground for mental health center, Cox cuts ribbon at Business Innovation Center, Cox speaks at TikTok lawsuit press conference, Cox joins Lee for Disagree Better Initiative, Cox attends community prayer event in Cedar City

Cox said, “Utah’s own story is rooted in the right to worship. Religious liberty is not a bargaining chip, not for land deals, not for trade, and not for diplomacy."

Cox cuts ribbon at Business Innovation Center

Gov. Spencer Cox speaks during IOC press conference, Cox breaks ground for new Washington County center, Cox breaks ground for mental health center, Cox cuts ribbon at Business Innovation Center, Cox speaks at TikTok lawsuit press conference, Cox joins Lee for Disagree Better Initiative, Cox attends community prayer event in Cedar City

Cox added, "Utah will always stand for the rights to worship freely, and we reject any attempt—foreign or domestic—to silence that right through coercion or pressure.”

Cox speaks at TikTok lawsuit press conference

Gov. Spencer Cox speaks during IOC press conference, Cox breaks ground for new Washington County center, Cox breaks ground for mental health center, Cox cuts ribbon at Business Innovation Center, Cox speaks at TikTok lawsuit press conference, Cox joins Lee for Disagree Better Initiative, Cox attends community prayer event in Cedar City

Chinese investors own over 33,000 acres of farmland in Utah. Though a small portion of all foreign-held farmland, the holdings have raised concerns regarding an increase in foreign influence.

Cox joins Lee for Disagree Better Initiative

Gov. Spencer Cox speaks during IOC press conference, Cox breaks ground for new Washington County center, Cox breaks ground for mental health center, Cox cuts ribbon at Business Innovation Center, Cox speaks at TikTok lawsuit press conference, Cox joins Lee for Disagree Better Initiative, Cox attends community prayer event in Cedar City

Rep. Candice Pierucci (R-UT) praised Utah’s action to block the Provo land sale. The law requires restricted foreign entities to sell any illegally acquired property within a year or face a state-forced sale.

Cox attends community prayer event in Cedar City

Gov. Spencer Cox speaks during IOC press conference, Cox breaks ground for new Washington County center, Cox breaks ground for mental health center, Cox cuts ribbon at Business Innovation Center, Cox speaks at TikTok lawsuit press conference, Cox joins Lee for Disagree Better Initiative, Cox attends community prayer event in Cedar City

Pierucci said, “Now, not only does the law prohibit the Chinese government from owning land, but also its subsidiaries, its shell companies, its majority-owned companies, and any company headquartered in China.”

Amanda Clark covers U.S. politics & news for content partner Modern Newsstand LLC.

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