The Florida Legislature has approved a bill that forbids Chinese citizens from owning land within the state, and it is now awaiting Governor Ron Desantis’ signature to become law. Known as Bill SB 264, or “SB 264: Interests of Foreign Countries,” it prevents Chinese individuals from buying or acquiring real estate in Florida.
We don’t want the [Chinese Communist Party] in the Sunshine State. We want to maintain this as the free state of Florida,” said DeSantis at a press conference.
DeSantis stated that he is worried about China making a “concerted effort to acquire farmland throughout the United States.”
“Food security is also national security, and so we don’t want the CCP in charge of any food production. We really need to have a unified effort in this country to deter the CCP’s ambitions and their influence. Part of that is asserting our economic sovereignty,” added the governor.
Both parties in the state legislature supported the priority bill, expressing national security concerns as the reason for its passage. The House approved it with a 95-17 vote, while the Senate passed it with a 31-8 vote.
Originally, Bill SB 264, filed in March and later amended by the House, aimed to limit land ownership for citizens of “foreign adversaries,” which included China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, and Syria.
