Many Americans harbor legitimate concerns about the potential threats posed against the nation and its citizens by foreign adversaries and rivals, particularly the communist regime in China, and that includes Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.

Abbott used his authority to issue four executive orders aimed at curbing Chinese threats in the Lone Star State last month, including one that authorizes the arrest of anybody engaged in unlawful operations on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party, The Center Square reported.

The governor's other orders included hardening the state government against Chinese espionage efforts, protecting the state's critical infrastructure from espionage and attacks, and for all state agencies to divest from any China-based investments.

Protecting Texans from Chinese harassment and kidnappings

On Nov. 18, Gov. Abbott issued EO-GA-47 that called out the Chinese regime for its documented efforts to track down, harass, intimidate, or even kidnap and repatriate Chinese dissidents living in Texas.

The order directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to "target and arrest any criminals executing CCP influence operations ... to forcibly return dissidents to China," and further authorized DPS to fully investigate and report on such criminal incidents.

"The Chinese Communist Party has engaged in a worldwide harassment campaign against Chinese dissidents in attempts to forcibly return them to China," Abbott said in a statement. "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."

"Ensuring the safety, welfare, and well-being of Texans is a top priority," he added. "I directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to identify and bring criminal charges against individuals who harass Texans on behalf of this hostile foreign adversary. We will continue to do everything we can to protect Texans from the unlawful and repressive actions of the Chinese Communist Party."

Hardening the state government against foreign threats

The next day, on Nov. 19, Gov. Abbott issued EO-GA-48, which called out "foreign adversaries" like China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela for their "long-term pattern" of adverse and threatening conduct toward U.S. national security as well as that of individual states like Texas and its citizenry.

The order directed all state agencies and public institutions to take a variety of actions to harden and safeguard the state government from potential attacks and espionage efforts by any adversarial foreign nation.

"Our No. 1 priority is to protect Texans, including from espionage threats from the Chinese Communist Party and its proxies," Abbott said. "The Federal Bureau of Investigation reported that the Chinese government has actively targeted local and state officials as part of their strategy to undermine the national security of the United States."

"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," he added. "With this Executive Order, Texas will safeguard our critical infrastructure and information from threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party."

Protecting critical infrastructure and divesting from China

Gov. Abbott followed up those two executive orders with a third directive on Nov. 20, EO-GA-49, that mandated relevant state agencies to take certain actions to "prepare for potential threats against Texas’ critical infrastructure from a hostile foreign government or their proxies," particularly China.

"China has made it clear that they can -- and will -- target and attack America’s critical infrastructure. Just this past year, a hostile Chinese government actor targeted America's communications, energy, transportation, water, and wastewater systems, threatening our national security," he said in a press release. "Today, I directed Texas state agencies to identify potential vulnerabilities to prevent cyberattacks on local, state, and other critical infrastructure. Texas will continue to protect our critical infrastructure to ensure the safety of Texans from potential threats by the Chinese Communist Party or any hostile foreign government."

Finally, on Nov. 21, Abbott sent a letter to the heads of all state agencies that ordered them to begin the process of divesting themselves from any "risky investments originating from China," and, noting potential threats to the state's financial security, said, "All investments of state funds in China must be evaluated and immediately addressed. To further this goal, I direct Texas investing entities that you are prohibited from making any new investments of state funds in China. To the extent you have any current investments in China, you are required to divest at the first available opportunity."