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."
University of Texas public affairs and history professor Jeremi Suri said the program involving "the Chinese Communist Party" or "People's Republic of China" has been going on for years, but recent evidence showing them trying to get involved with the election made it undeniable.
Texas is a target because of the large number of industries and research hubs like UT.
Suri said universities are going have to take more precautions when inviting researchers and accepting funding.
"Is that being used in a way that is actually trying to manipulate rather than to open space for different points of view?" said Suri. "We have to do more due diligence and obviously we also have to protect our data."
Suri said he supports the order but fears it will encourage hostility toward the Asian community. He said it needs to be made clear that anti-Asian behavior and harassment will not be tolerated.
"This a very small number out of the total, and we have to find those who are breaking the law and hold them accountable, but we should not punish the vast majority, and we need that talent," said Suri. "We need those individuals. Most of the Chinese Americans and Chinese students and Chinese living in our country in Texas are good people who are students and workers; they are not involved with this."
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.
The FBI office in Houston has set up a hotline for people who believe they are victims of these types of actions by the Chinese Communist Party: 713-693-5000.