AUSTIN, Texas — Gov. Greg Abbott has issued a second executive order this week targeting foreign adversaries.
On Tuesday, the governor directed state agencies and public institutions to increase security against China and the Chinese Communist Party’s “malicious espionage operations.”
Under the order, state agencies must make sure the companies they work with aren’t working with an adversary government and will need to conduct stronger background checks, ban employees from accepting gifts and contracting with companies owned by foreign adversary groups.
Higher education faculty and employees will also be banned from participating in any foreign recruitment programs.
“Our No. 1 priority is to protect Texans, including from espionage threats from the Chinese Communist Party and its proxies,” Abbott said, adding, “Hardening our state government is critical to protect Texans from hostile foreign actors who may attempt to undermine the safety and security of Texas and the nation.”
This executive order comes one day after Abbott ordered Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers to arrest people involved in harassing and coercing Texans on behalf of foreign groups.
That order came after reports of the People’s Republic of China creating “police service stations” in other countries to try and intimidate those who criticize the Chinese government and force them to return to China.
One of those “police services stations” is believed to be in Houston, and the FBI shut one down in New York last year.
Abbott’s executive order directs DPS to identify and bring charges against people suspected of exploiting critics of China.