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August 30, 2023

Dozens of States Consider Bills Barring Chinese Entities and Citizens from Buying Land
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Amid mounting U.S.-China tensions, lawmakers in 33 states have
introduced legislation this year to prohibit Chinese entities and even
Chinese citizens from buying agricultural land or property near military
bases. A dozen of those bills have passed into law, including Florida's
controversial SB 264, which has been challenged by a group of Chinese
citizens, who cited violations of the Fair Housing Act.

The Washington Post reports that while most of the legislation making
its way through statehouses also name countries like Iran and North
Korea, China is the clear target. Rights groups and some political
leaders say such restrictions will further stoke anti-Asian sentiment.
"There is ignorance out there that causes people to think that because
you are Chinese you are part of the Chinese government," former Texas
state Representative Martha Wong told the Post.


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