Chinese firms acquire land near Australian ports being considered as future submarine bases

Sky News Australia reports that companies linked to a known Chinese businessman have purchased land near two ports that have been shortlisted as potential bases for the Royal Australian Navy's (RAN) future nuclear-powered submarines.

The purchased land encompasses two separate areas in New South Wales near sites that the Australian Department of Defence (DOD) had flagged in 2023 as potential bases for the RAN's SSN-AUKUS boats that are due to enter service in the early 2040s.

Sky News political reporter Julia Bradley said the Australian Government has not issued any statement on the purchases by the companies linked to businessman Wang Yongxin, who allegedly also has ties to the Chinese Communist Party.

Bradley added that it is unclear whether the land purchases were scrutinised by the government's Foreign Investment Review Board.

The sites in New South Wales, particularly at Port Kembla, are being considered by the DOD as bases for the SSN-AUKUS boats due to their existing deep channels and available infrastructure.