Texas governor issues orders to counter Chinese influence and protect residents

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued three executive orders aimed at countering perceived threats from the Chinese Communist Party. The orders, signed on November 18 and 19, focus on preventing harassment of Texans and protecting critical infrastructure. Executive Order No. GA-47 directs the Texas Department of Public Safety to identify individuals exploiting dissidents for foreign governments. GA-48 requires companies bidding for state contracts to certify they are not owned by foreign adversaries and imposes stricter background checks for state employees. The final order, GA-49, establishes a taskforce to assess vulnerabilities in state infrastructure and prepare for potential cyberattacks. Abbott emphasized the need to safeguard Texas against threats from foreign adversaries, particularly China.