Utah governor blocks land purchase by Chinese state-owned company near Provo Airport

By lauraharris // 2025-07-21

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On July 15 in Palmyra, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox announced Utah had blocked a land purchase near Provo Airport by Cirrus Aircraft, which is majority-owned by a Chinese state-owned defense contractor.
The parent company, AVIC, is tied to China's military and appears on multiple U.S. federal watchlists. It is banned from federal contracts due to national security risks.
The decision was made under Utah's 2024 law (HB 516), which prohibits land purchases by entities linked to foreign adversaries like China, Russia, Iran and North Korea.
Companies violating HB 516 must divest within one year or face state seizure of the property, with proceeds going to Utah's General Fund.
Cox praised the Utah Legislature and Rep. Candice Pierucci for their role in passing the law, while emphasizing Utah's leadership in confronting foreign influence at the state level.

Standing under the scorching summer sun in a dusty field beside an old barn, Gov. Spencer Cox has announced that Utah blocked a Chinese state-owned company from purchasing land near the Provo Airport due to national security concerns. Cox, joined by several state lawmakers in the rural farming community of Palmyra on July 15, revealed that the attempted buyer was Cirrus Aircraft, a well-known manufacturer of small private planes. Though Cirrus is a U.S.-based company with operations in Wisconsin, it has been majority-owned since 2011 by China Aviation Industry General Aircraft, a subsidiary of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) – a firm that is "deeply tied to the Chinese military." (Related: Texas bans land purchases by foreign adversaries, targeting Chinese Communist Party.) "A restricted foreign entity under Utah law with deep military ties to the Chinese government, AVIC makes fighter jets, helicopters and drones for the Chinese military," he said during the press conference. "They appear on multiple U.S. federal watch lists and are banned from federal contracts, assistance and benefits due to serious national security concerns." Cirrus has not been accused of wrongdoing, but its parent company AVIC has been under increasing scrutiny. In 2020, U.S. officials labeled AVIC a potential national security threat, triggering sanctions that curb the influence of Chinese military-linked enterprises. "Utah is reaffirming a strong message that it's been sending for years," Cox said. "We will not allow adversarial foreign entities to buy up strategic land in our state." The land in question is located near the Provo Airport, a growing regional hub south of Salt Lake City. Cox declined to specify the exact plans of Cirrus for the site, but the governor noted the proposed investment involved "millions of dollars and hundreds of jobs." "And I don't care," Cox said. "We are not for sale."

Cox praises Utah legislature for advancing HB 516

The decision was made under House Bill 516, a 2024 law that bans land acquisitions by companies tied to governments deemed "foreign adversaries," including China, Russia, Iran and North Korea. Under HB516, companies found in violation must divest their property holdings within one year or risk state seizure through the Division of Facilities Construction and Management. Any proceeds from the seizure would be redirected to Utah's General Fund. Cox praised the Utah Legislature for its leadership, highlighting Rep. Candice Pierucci as the sponsor of the original legislation. He also acknowledged Utah-based Strider Technologies for its role in advancing enforcement efforts nationwide. In turn, Pierucci stressed Utah's stance. "Utah has led the way in safeguarding our land and military assets. We were one of the first states to ban the Chinese Communist Party from owning land here," said Pierucci. "The work we've done not only advances Utah's interests but also sets a national example for how states can push back against the CCP's malign influence and protect our security. National security is no longer the exclusive domain of Washington – it begins here at home, on our farms, in our schools and universities, across industry and with state and local policymakers." Visit NationalSecurity.news for more stories like this. Listen to Sen. John Thune (R-SD) as he warns about China's purchase of U.S. farmland in strategic locations.

This video is from the Chinese taking down EVIL CCP channel on Brighteon.com.

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Cox praises Utah legislature for advancing HB 516

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