Sen. Moreno calls for investigation of CCP-linked company encroaching on WPAFB
WASHINGTON – On July 31, Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent requesting a formal review of SolarSpace’s plan to purchase or lease land near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Solarspace, a Chinese solar cell manufacturer with ties to the Chinese Communist Party, is seeking to establish a U.S. foothold near one of the nation’s most strategically sensitive military installations.
“I applaud the Trump Administration’s continued commitment to tracking foreign land ownership,” wrote Senator Moreno. “At a time when the Chinese Communist Party has leveraged American commercial entities to advance its military and intelligence objectives, we cannot let this potential transaction proceed without investigation. While the Supreme Court’s recent decision was, unfortunately, in the words of President Trump, a ‘massive Birthright Citizenship WIN!’ for China, I hope we can work together to ensure that the Chinese Communist Party is never allowed to purchase or lease land near our military installations.”
Read the full text of the letter below.
July 31, 2026
The Honorable Scott Bessent
Secretary of the Treasury
Chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States
1500 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, D.C., 20220
Dear Secretary Bessent,
I am writing to you in your capacity as Chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to formally request a comprehensive national security review pursuant to a referral for investigation that I have grave concerns about. On June 22, 2026, the Dayton Development Coalition referred a pending real estate transaction involving SolarSpace Technology Co., Ltd. (“SolarSpace”), a Chinese manufacturer of photovoltaic cells and modules, to your office.
It is my understanding that SolarSpace intends to lease or purchase a facility located at 2555 Woodman Drive, Kettering, Ohio, which is approximately 13 miles from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is a critical military installation with a workforce of approximately 38,000 employees, including military personnel, civilians, and contractors, dedicated to defending our nation against foreign adversaries. The base is not only one of the Department of War’s most strategically significant installations, but also a cornerstone of U.S. air and space superiority, serving as a central hub for aerospace research, engineering, and intelligence, including the Air Force Research Laboratory. Yet, one of our greatest foes is attempting to move in nearly next door.
I applaud the Trump Administration’s continued commitment to tracking foreign land ownership. At a time when the Chinese Communist Party has leveraged American commercial entities to advance its military and intelligence objectives, we cannot let this potential transaction proceed without investigation. While the Supreme Court’s recent decision was, unfortunately, in the words of President Trump, a “massive Birthright Citizenship WIN!” for China, I hope we can work together to ensure that the Chinese Communist Party is never allowed to purchase or lease land near our military installations.
I urge you to investigate this transaction immediately. We cannot allow potential shell companies for the Chinese Communist Party to buy land or facilities near our most sensitive military and critical infrastructure sites, including Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I appreciate your partnership as we work to safeguard our national security interests.
Sincerely,
BERNIE MORENO
United States Senator