Michigan’s Senate Appropriations Committee Thursday approved plans to build an electric vehicle battery plant, owned by Chinese company Gotion, in Big Rapids Township.
The proposal earmarks $175 million in taxpayer funds to subsidize the 550,000-square-foot plant.
Gotion is owned by Chinese tech firm Gotion High-Tech, which pledges loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) several times throughout its Articles of Association.
Article 9 states, “The Company shall set up a Party organization and carry out Party activities in accordance with the Constitution of the Communist Party of China. The Company shall ensure necessary conditions for carrying out Party activities.”
The company also set up the Gotion High-tech Co., Ltd. Committee of the Communist Party of China which, according to Article 115 “shall perform its duties in accordance with the Constitution of the Communist Party of China.”
Michigan lawmakers approved the plans Thursday in a tight 10-9 vote with all Republicans and three Democrats in opposition after hearing fierce objections from Michiganders.
One citizen told the committee that the plant is part of the CCP’s ambition to “overthrow the United States without firing a shot” while another said it was a threat to the American way of life.
“I think that any Chinese communist plant buying up 700 acres of Michigan land is a concern to all citizens throughout the state,” said Cheryl Vitito, according to the Daily Mail. “This CCP-controlled company represents communism and is a threat to our way of life and our God-given and constitutional freedoms.
“We don't want the CCP here by way of the Gotion plant as they have no regard for the value and dignity of human life.”
Shirley Schaefer, another Michigander, noted that Gotion High-Tech “pledges allegiance to the Chinese Communist Party and should be determined as a threat to our national security.”
“I’m angry,” Marjorie Steele said. “I’m angry that this vote was slipped into the agenda today with as little information as possible so that people like me wouldn’t know it was happening. I’m angry that you, our elected officials, have ignored my community’s pleas to table this vote until some small semblance of due diligence can be performed. I can promise you that we will not stop at the local level.”
“We are tired of being abused and we are not alone,” she continued. “This is not just a Mecosta County issue. Townships and counties across the state are uniting, sharing resources, manpower and grassroots activism. Your votes today, senators, are lines drawn in the sand."
