In a bold move aimed at protecting Chinese dissidents and safeguarding the rights of individuals of Chinese descent in Texas, Governor Greg Abbott has issued an executive order (EO) targeting coercion and harassment from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and its governing Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The executive order is designed to shield over 250,000 Chinese Texans from foreign interference, particularly the PRC’s efforts to suppress political dissent and silence critics through intimidation tactics.
In a statement released alongside the executive order, Governor Abbott condemned the PRC's aggressive actions. “The Chinese Communist Party has engaged in a worldwide harassment campaign against Chinese dissidents in attempts to forcibly return them to China,” Abbott said. “Texas will not tolerate the harassment or coercion of the more than 250,000 individuals of Chinese descent who legally call Texas home by the Chinese Communist Party or its heinous proxies.”
The executive order directs the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to take immediate action against individuals acting on behalf of foreign adversaries, including the Chinese government. Under the directive, DPS will work with local and federal law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute those engaged in transnational repression. The order emphasizes the importance of tracking and reporting any acts of coercion, intimidation, or surveillance, and it will also establish a hotline for Texans to report instances of oppression.
The executive order draws particular attention to “Operation Fox Hunt,” a controversial PRC-led initiative to track down and forcibly repatriate Chinese citizens living abroad. According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the operation targets individuals the PRC deems to be “fugitives” and uses coercive tactics, including extortion and intimidation, to pressure individuals and their families into returning to China. In a recent case, the DOJ unsealed arrest warrants charging eight individuals with conspiring to commit interstate and international stalking as agents of the Chinese government.
"Operation Fox Hunt has been a tool for the Chinese government to engage in unsanctioned and illegal practices, including coercion and harassment, all aimed at silencing dissent and forcing individuals to return to China against their will," Abbott said. "This type of transnational repression will not be tolerated in Texas."
The executive order also highlights the state's commitment to national security and the protection of Texans from foreign influence. The state is already considering additional measures to prevent adversarial foreign powers from purchasing land in Texas, which would safeguard against potential threats to state security.
Governor Abbott’s EO is part of a broader, national conversation about the PRC’s growing efforts to interfere with the lives of Chinese citizens abroad, particularly in countries like the United States. The PRC has been accused of using both legal and illegal means to track, harass, and intimidate individuals who speak out against the regime. The Chinese government’s interference in U.S. domestic affairs has raised alarm among lawmakers and law enforcement agencies across the country.
In his press release, Abbott stressed the importance of standing up against foreign overreach. “Texas is proud of its diversity and will not allow any government, including the Chinese Communist Party, to dictate how we live or how we protect our communities,” he stated.
As the U.S. continues to grapple with the implications of China’s global influence, Abbott’s executive order marks a significant step in the state’s efforts to protect its residents from foreign coercion and safeguard the freedoms guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution. Texas’ proactive stance is expected to set a precedent for other states in addressing concerns about foreign influence and the rights of individuals of Chinese descent.
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