Austin News

Governor Greg Abbott has issued an executive order aimed at safeguarding Texans from harassment and coercion linked to the People's Republic of China (PRC) or the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has been instructed to target and arrest individuals involved in CCP influence operations, such as "Operation Fox Hunt," which seeks to forcibly return dissidents to China.

"The Chinese Communist Party has engaged in a worldwide harassment campaign against Chinese dissidents in attempts to forcibly return them to China," Governor Abbott stated. He emphasized that Texas will not tolerate any harassment or coercion of the over 250,000 individuals of Chinese descent legally residing in the state by the CCP or its proxies. Ensuring the safety and well-being of Texans is a top priority, he noted.

Under Governor Abbott's directive, DPS will undertake several actions:

- Identify and charge individuals suspected of exploiting dissidents on behalf of foreign governments.

- Collaborate with local and federal law enforcement through the Texas Fusion Center to evaluate incidents where foreign entities attempt to intimidate Texans.

- Discover and document individuals planning or executing acts of repression, with policy recommendations due by January 15, 2025, for countering such threats. Training programs will also be developed for identifying and reporting illicit activities.

- Introduce a hotline and update the iWatch Texas Community Reporting System for Texans to report suspected oppression or coercion by PRC or CCP actors. Reports can be made anonymously via iwatchtx.org, the iWatchTexas mobile app, or by calling 844-643-2251.

Texans are encouraged to utilize these resources to report suspicious activities.