State and federal authorities reveal an alarming presence of Chinese intelligence operations targeting dissidents in Texas.
According to Daily Mail, both Texas Governor Greg Abbott and the FBI have issued warnings about Chinese agents operating in the state to intimidate, harm, and kidnap Chinese citizens who have sought refuge in the United States.
The discovery includes a Chinese "police service station" in Houston, which authorities say is one of six such facilities operating across the United States. These stations, run by the Chinese government, are reportedly used to threaten and harass legal U.S. residents who criticize the People's Republic of China. The operation particularly targets the more than 250,000 individuals of Chinese descent who legally reside in Texas.
Governor Abbott responded to the threat by issuing an executive order Monday directing state police to take immediate action. The order specifically instructs the Texas Department of Public Safety to identify and pursue criminal charges against individuals who harass Texans on behalf of China.
The governor emphasized the state's commitment to protecting its residents from foreign interference. Abbott has also raised concerns about Chinese attempts to spy on state and local government offices in Texas.
As stated by Governor Abbott:
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.
This is not the first time Houston has been at the center of U.S.-China tensions. In July 2020, the U.S. State Department ordered the immediate closure of the Chinese consulate in Houston. The closure came after U.S. officials determined the facility posed a threat to American interests.
During the 2020 incident, Chinese diplomats were caught burning documents inside the consulate after receiving the closure order. Local firefighters who responded to the resulting fire were denied entry to the premises.
Florida Senator Marco Rubio, who served as acting chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee at the time, characterized the Houston consulate as a major intelligence-gathering operation. The Chinese government has not officially reopened operations in Houston but maintains four other consulates in the U.S. and an embassy in Washington, D.C.
The FBI's Houston field office has joined state efforts by urging victims to come forward with information. The bureau is investigating reports of cyberstalking, physical intimidation, and harassment targeting Chinese citizens, naturalized U.S. citizens, and families of dissidents who speak against the Chinese Communist Party.
State and federal authorities are working together to identify and counter these operations. The coordination reflects growing concerns about foreign interference in domestic affairs and the protection of individuals who have sought refuge in the United States.
The discovery of Chinese surveillance operations in Texas represents a significant security concern for both state and federal authorities. The presence of unauthorized police stations and systematic harassment of Chinese Americans and Chinese nationals has prompted swift action from Governor Abbott and the FBI.
As investigations continue, law enforcement agencies are focusing on protecting vulnerable communities while maintaining vigilance against foreign interference in Texas. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges of balancing international relations with domestic security concerns, particularly in states with large immigrant populations.
