The president of Cnano USA Inc., a subsidiary of a China-based company, openly admitted during a Kansas House Committee hearing that its parent firm, Cnano Jiangsu Technology Co., Ltd., employs members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and has previously contributed to China’s military endeavors. This admission sheds light on the far-reaching tentacles of the CCP in the heartland of America, particularly alarming given Cnano USA’s plans to establish a manufacturing facility close to several Midwest military bases, including Missouri’s Whiteman Air Force Base.
The fact that a foreign entity with direct ties to a regime that opposes American values and security interests could potentially operate within a stone’s throw of critical military installations is a glaring national security concern. It’s a stark reminder of the CCP’s strategic ambition to embed itself within the American economy, especially in sectors that could have significant implications for national defense. Shawn Montgomery, Cnano USA’s president, during his testimony, attempted to downplay these connections, yet the mere presence of CCP members within the hierarchy of its parent company and the firm’s historical involvement in China’s 863 Program—a state-backed initiative to bolster the Chinese military’s capabilities—cannot be brushed aside.
HB 2766, legislation proposed by Kansas House Majority Leader Chris Croft (R), seeks to mitigate such threats by restricting “foreign principals from countries of concern” from acquiring real estate in close proximity to U.S. military assets. This bill is a step in the right direction, aiming to protect our national security infrastructure from foreign espionage and undue influence.
The choice of Kansas by Cnano USA, citing reasons such as central location and tariff avoidance, underscores a broader strategy by Chinese firms to penetrate the American market. The presence of CCP members in companies operating on American soil should not be taken lightly. As Croft emphasized, the bill is a crucial measure to counter CCP influence.
The revelations from the hearing, coupled with the ongoing legislative efforts, illuminate the urgent need for comprehensive policies to thwart foreign, especially CCP, infiltration into critical American sectors. The case of Cnano USA is illustrative of a larger pattern of Chinese entities seeking to embed themselves within the American industrial and technological landscape, often in proximity to national security assets.
This incident is a clarion call for lawmakers at all levels to intensify scrutiny of foreign investments and operations within the United States, especially those emanating from countries with adversarial postures toward America. The CCP’s strategy of economic entanglement as a means to exert influence and potentially compromise American interests must be met with resolute opposition. Protecting our national security must always supersede economic considerations when dealing with foreign entities linked to regimes that do not share our values or respect our sovereignty.
