Companies With Close Ties to CCP Are Buying up U.S. Military Academies
Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL) is Sounding Alarm over a worrying trend in which companies with close ties the Chinese Communist Party buy up U.S. military academys, including that attended by Donald Trump as a teenager.
In a Letter Waltz wrote Lloyd Austin, Secretary of Defense, asking that the Department of Defense examine all Army, Navy and Air Force JROTC programs located in private schools in the country. “whether those schools are owned by a subsidiary of a foreign company, and the name of the subsidiary and foreign company.” Waltz’s request stems from a concern that these military school acquisitions are part of China’s “Belt & Road Initiative” to exert its influence in the United States’ education system.
Waltz releases a press release. :
“It’s incredibly concerning that there are American private schools owned by companies with strong ties to the Chinese Communist Party. From Florida to New York, there is clear evidence that the ownership of these schools are linked to our greatest adversary and it’s ridiculous that we are developing potential future military leaders through JROTC programs where the CCP could be shaping school curriculum and activities.”
Waltz gives two examples in his letter of support to Austin. The first is Florida Preparatory Academy, which is located on the state’s Space Coast and houses an Air Force ROTC program. It was bought by Newopen USA in 2017, a subsidiary company of Newopen Group. Page Self-describes itself as “the most influential and valuable education group in China” It is also known as “manages 2 universities, 5 middle schools, 2 affiliated primary schools, 31 kindergartens.”
Another example is the New York Military Academy. It runs an Army JROTC Program and is just 6 miles from West Point. Founded In 1889, a Civil War veteran purchased the school. In 2015, the Research Center on Natural Conservation bought the school, which was funded by Fang Holdings Ltd. and is now controlled by Mo Tianquan. Waltz’s letter notes, “In 2013, Mo Tianquan, was a delegate to the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, a political advisory body convened by the CCP as part of its broader United Front work.” The New York Military Academy has produced many notable alumni, including Donald Trump, Francis Ford Coppola and Stephen Sondheim.
From Florida to New York, there’s clear evidence the Chinese Communist Party’s buying up private schools just like our farmland.
Some schools have JROTC program while others are tech-focused. CCP-influenced curriculum must not be used to shape our children. https://t.co/yXLGTKQJ8L
— Rep. Mike Waltz (@michaelgwaltz) January 31, 2023
Waltz requested Secretary Austin to investigate immediately the school purchases and provide an immediate response “in preparation for the FY24 National Defense Authorization Act.”
Waltz seems to be doing what several Republicans including Ron DeSantis want to do at the state and national levels: Eliminating any influence China has on the U.S. reported last month, DeSantis “addressed the recent trend of Chinese investors “gobbling up land” Sunshine State. He noted the Marxist, Leninist turn of Xi Jinping during his tenure as CCP President, and expressed a desire to prevent China’s purchase of both farmland and residential property.”
Waltz for his part is determined get the answers. Telling The Free Beacon
“To the extent that those private schools have junior ROTC programs that are forming the backbone of our future leaders of our military, this is something I would hope and would expect the Defense Department would work with me to better understand.”
Secretary Austin has not yet responded to Rep. Waltz’s request.
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