Who Is Chen Tianqiao? Meet The CCP Member That Is The Second Largest Landowner In The U.S.

Chen, who is the founder, chairman, and CEO of global investment firm Shanda Group, owns approximately 200,000 acres of land in Oregon, making him a significant player in the American real estate market.

Chen's extensive ties to the Chinese government, including his membership in the CCP and executive roles in CCP-affiliated organizations, have raised concerns about the potential national security implications of Chinese ownership of U.S. land. Oregon Republican Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer expressed her worries about individuals tied to the Chinese Communist Party buying up timberland, which she considers one of the country's most precious and finite resources. She emphasized that foreign ownership of U.S. lands is a serious problem that has sparked unease among farmers, ranchers, and foresters across the country.

January 11, 2024

In addition to his vast land holdings, Chen also owns several urban properties in the U.S., including the Vanderbilt Mansion in Manhattan, the Seeley Mudd Estate near Los Angeles, and a 150,000 square-foot research facility at Caltech called the Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Institute for Neuroscience. These properties are worth tens of millions of dollars, according to Land Report.

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The issue of Chinese ownership of U.S. land, particularly agricultural land, has attracted increased scrutiny from Republican governors who view it as a potential threat to national security. Several states, including Florida, have taken legislative and executive action to ban Chinese ownership of U.S. farmland. Missouri Governor Mike Parson issued an executive order in January 2024 banning such purchases near military installations.

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Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio highlighted the Chinese Communist Party's goal of undermining and weakening America, which includes the continued acquisition of land near military installations. Rubio expressed concern about China's land purchases, whether they involve farmland or properties near sensitive locations.

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Chen's early involvement with the Chinese Communist Party is notable. He joined the Party at the age of 18, according to an article from Communist Youth Daily, the official newspaper for the Communist Youth League. Chinese media outlets and business filings have consistently identified Chen as a CCP member. State-run media outlet China News Service reported that Chen enrolled in Fudan University in 1990 to major in economics and joined the Chinese Communist Party the following year. He was recognized as a "Shanghai Municipal Outstanding Model Cadre Student" in 1993.

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Chen's admiration for Mao Zedong, the first chairman of the People's Republic of China, is also well-documented. The state-run Beijing Review describes Chen as an admirer of Mao, and several Chinese-language outlets have reported that Chen's corporate office prominently displays Mao's written works. Chen even has a favorite Mao Zedong quote: "Strategically we should despise all our enemies, but tactically we should take them all seriously." This quote was delivered by Mao during a speech denouncing American imperialism in November 1957.

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Beyond his CCP membership, Chinese government records reveal that Chen served as a representative to the 11th and 12th councils of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) between 2008 and 2018. The CPPCC is a Chinese government agency where various actors, including party elders, intelligence officers, diplomats, and businesspeople, come together to discuss and shape CCP policies. CPPCC delegates serve as proxies for CCP interests and frequently engage with foreign government officials, businesses, and academic institutions.

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Chen has also held executive positions with the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), including its Shanghai branch. ACFIC is an organization led by the Communist Party of China and contributes to the Party's united front and economy-related work. The ACFIC is considered a subordinate agency of the United Front Work Department (UFWD), a CCP agency that engages in a blend of engagement, influence activities, and intelligence operations.

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The increase in Chinese-affiliated land purchases in the U.S. has raised concerns among lawmakers. A House Select Committee on the CCP aide stated that the growing number of land acquisitions by entities affiliated with the People's Republic of China (PRC) is a cause for concern. The aide suggested implementing a presumption of denial for PRC-affiliated entities seeking land acquisitions near national security sites, such as military bases, to prevent potential intelligence collection or other security risks.

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Despite multiple requests for comment, Chen and Shanda Group did not respond.

In conclusion, Chen Tianqiao, a Chinese billionaire and member of the Chinese Communist Party, is the second-largest foreign landowner in the United States. His extensive land holdings in Oregon, along with his ties to the Chinese government, have raised concerns about national security implications. The issue of Chinese ownership of U.S. land, particularly agricultural land, has attracted increased scrutiny from Republican lawmakers. Chen's early involvement with the Chinese Communist Party and his admiration for Mao Zedong further highlight his ties to the CCP. The Chinese government records also reveal his participation in the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and his executive positions with the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce. The growing number of Chinese-affiliated land purchases in the U.S. has prompted calls for stricter regulations to protect national security interests. Despite these concerns, Chen and Shanda Group have not provided any comment on the matter.