Texas governor's orders bring locals uncertainty

It was done in the name of protecting more than 250,000 Chinese descendants living in Texas. Yet, the three executive orders targeting China, issued by Texas Governor Greg Abbott about a week ago brought a sense of anxiety and uncertainty to many Chinese Americans living in Texas.

One of the orders targeted individuals "preying on dissidents on behalf of any foreign adversary", another ordered that a task force be formed to counter potential "threats" to Texas infrastructure from China, and the third outlined details to prohibit state agencies from engaging in business, and research and exchanges with Chinese entities that have ties to the Chinese government.

China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning on Friday urged relevant US officials to stop smearing and making groundless accusations against China, and do more to facilitate bilateral cooperation.

China-US economic and trade ties are win-win cooperation in nature, Mao stressed, adding that Chinese companies have made important contributions over the years to boost employment and economic growth in the US.

Politicizing trade and investment issues and overstretching the concept of security run contrary to the principle of market economy and international trade rules, which will undermine international confidence in US market, she said.

All employees of Texas public institutes and agencies are prohibited from accepting gifts from such entities or conducting business trips to China, one order decreed.

If traveling to China for personal reasons, the employee is required to notify the agency "prior to their travel and submit a post-travel brief".

In addition, state agencies, including public higher education institutions, are required to have minimum security requirements for new hires, as well as for existing employees to remain in positions key to critical infrastructure.

One Chinese American, who is in her 40s and only wanted to be identified as Wendy, has been working at a Texas state agency for almost a decade.

"I do visit China once every couple of years to see my parents who live there. Now I would have to file notice before I see my parents and tell them what I have done in China after the trip. That would make me feel untrusted and insulted. It's an invasion (of) my privacy on the part of the state government," Wendy said.

"I am very angry over this executive order, but I am also afraid and dare not speak out openly," Wendy continued, adding that she's considering switching her job to the private sector to avoid this "unfair treatment".

'Full of flaws'

Following the announcement of Abbott's executive orders, Mosaic Paradigm Law Group, a Houston law firm, published an analysis of the potential impact of those orders.

"Companies with ties to the Chinese government will face more restrictions when entering the Texas market, and interaction between some Chinese enterprises and Texas government and public higher education institutions will be negatively impacted," said the analysis, calling the executive orders "full of flaws and short-sighted".

In addition, Chinese companies operating in Texas will face higher compliance costs to ensure their activities follow the new regulations.

The analysis said the documents required for personal travel to China mean individuals will have to spend more time and energy filing paperwork, thus reducing their desire to travel to China.

The prohibition of exchanges between higher education institutions in Texas and China will negatively impact Texas' innovation and academic research, the analysis stated.

Contact the writers at mayzhou@chinadailyusa.com.

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