China owns

(cont'd from yesterday's post)

Chinese companies listed on U.S. stock exchanges come to a total of 252 as of last January, as reported here, valued at $1+ trillion. A list of them is here.

Little-known Chinese investments in the U.S. include Forbes magazine, founded in 1917 by the grandfather of the current Chairman and Editor-in-Chief, Steve Forbes. The family still owns 20%, but an investment group based in Hong Kong bought a majority share in 2014, with Steve keeping both of his titles. 

Real estate also seems to be China's target in addition to businesses. In 2021 they put $6 billion into U.S. housing, the most of any foreign country (Canada being second, India third). Mortgage rates are irrelevant, as most of these purchases are in cash. Land purchases have raised some alarms (here and here).

Why? It's suggested that China has a housing deficit, and that they need farmland for food production. But lawmakers wonder if this glut of investment in American property constitutes a potential national security threat.

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