China has continued to amp up its influence operations in the United States and western countries as it attempts to improve its image by washing away human rights abuses and making people more amenable to its foreign policy goals, such as the eventual annexation of Taiwan.
The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace said that China has “increasingly sought to shape political narratives beyond its borders, especially on China-related issues. ”
Many people have accused President Joe Biden of being ‘soft’ on pushing back against Chinese influence, going back to the 2020 Presidential election.
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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has made it clear that counteracting Chinese influence operations is a high priority for him as he unveiled a series of executive orders and legislative proposals today to mitigate the threat in the state of Florida.
Gov. DeSantis Stops CCP Influence https://t.co/YdLJhIIRYt
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) September 22, 2022
The Governor’s executive orders are aimed at combating all foreign influence but had a focus on China.
“From server farms to farmland, the Communist Party of China has been worming its way into our nation’s data storage systems and buying up tracts of land near sensitive national security sites,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “By prohibiting the purchase of lands, state contracts with Chinese technology firms, and the infiltration of CCP-affiliated groups such as Confucius Institutes, Florida is leading the way to protect our nation from international foes.”
We applaud @GovRonDeSantis for today announcing legislation & exec orders to stop Chinese Communist Party influence in #Florida. We invite all Floridians to join #MiamiYRs in support of this important legislative priority. #China (1/3) pic.twitter.com/wAiivp52z9
— Miami Young Republicans (@MiamiYRs) September 22, 2022
DeSantis’ Lieutenant Governor voiced her support for the DeSantis’ initiative, saying they are critical to ‘protect American interests’ and ‘maintain our national security.’
“The Chinese Communist Party cheats on trade, steals our intellectual property, and produces deadly drugs like fentanyl that are pouring into our southern border,” said Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez. “Governor DeSantis’ announcements today are not only critical to protecting American interests and Florida farmlands but also to maintaining our national security. Florida will never kowtow to the oppressive regime of China.”
RON DESANTIS ON CCP INFLUENCE: "We saw what happened with COVID when all this stuff was made in China! […] China pretty much had us – and we were at their mercy about whether we were gonna get [COVID] medical supplies." pic.twitter.com/enNzpOsZEP
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) September 22, 2022
Florida’s Commissioner of Education discussed how DeSantis’ executive orders would protect America’s cutting-edge research at Universities from being stolen by ‘Communist dictatorships’ like China.
“Thanks to Governor DeSantis, Florida will not allow foreign adversaries and Communist dictatorships to have insights into some of the most sensitive data and cutting-edge research taking place in U.S. academia,” said Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr.
The Department of Management Services Secretary also voiced his support for the bill, saying that ‘decisive action’ to protect Florida’s cyber security was necessary.
“With today’s Executive Order, Governor DeSantis takes decisive action to defend the State of Florida and all Floridians from the cyber threats posed by foreign countries of concern and associated groups,” said Department of Management Services Secretary Pedro Allende.
Other stories you may want to read:
Sen. Rubio top target of Chinese disinformation campaign
DeSantis and Florida win again, Citadel dumps Illinois for Florida
