The latest battlefield in the West’s fight with China? Farmland.
Efforts by Chinese companies to purchase land — often, but not exclusively, agricultural — has authorities in Japan and the United States up in arms.
The main concern is that purchases will allow owners to spy on or interfere with nearby facilities — often military bases, surprise surprise — although there are also fears that food security will be compromised. While those worries are reasonable, there is the ever-present possibility of xenophobic and racist over-reaction, with the Chinese being targeted.