In a significant legislative move, the Nebraska legislature reportedly passed a bill aimed at countering suspected Chinese intelligence activities within the state.
This action comes in response to an investigation which highlighted the infiltration of Chinese espionage operations into American cities.
The newly enacted legislation, known as LB644, seeks to close loopholes in the Foreign Adversary and Terrorist Agent Registration Act.
This law previously allowed the United Front Work Department (UFWD), a Chinese intelligence entity, to establish influence through various non-profit organizations.
Philip Lenczynski, an investigative reporter, testified in February before the Nebraska state senate, emphasizing the potential espionage threat posed by these operations.
“The Chinese Communist Party has historically used espionage to outmaneuver larger adversaries and aims to replace the United States as the leading global power by 2049,” Lenczynski stated during his testimony.
He described the Chinese government’s strategy as a “whole-of-society People’s War against the West,” employing both willing and unwitting collaborators.
The UFWD has been known to operate “Overseas Chinese Service Centers” (OCSCs) that ostensibly promote Chinese culture and assist Chinese nationals abroad.
However, records indicate that officials from these centers have engaged with Chinese authorities to leverage technology for “cross-border remote justice services.”
The investigation found that the UFWD attempted to set up these centers in at least seven U.S. cities, including Omaha.
While these OCSC locations are often depicted as cultural hubs, reports suggest that similar centers in other countries engage in law enforcement activities, functioning as “Overseas Chinese Police Contact Points.”
The Department of Justice has noted that the Chinese Ministry of Public Safety (MPS) conducts intelligence operations beyond China’s borders, raising concerns about potential repression and coercion on U.S. soil.
Nebraska’s legislative action reflects a growing urgency among state lawmakers to address what they see as an unprecedented threat from the Chinese government.
Lenczynski urged the committee to take decisive measures to prevent the importation of oppressive practices linked to the Chinese Communist Party. “Nebraska should ensure that its laws protect against these repressive tactics,” he asserted.
Other states have begun to take similar steps. In Missouri, for example, Attorney General Andrew Bailey issued a subpoena against an OCSC in St. Louis last year, signaling a broader movement to scrutinize and regulate these operations.
As concerns about national security mount, Nebraska’s proactive stance against foreign espionage highlights the increasing awareness and urgency to combat potential threats posed by foreign adversaries.
This legislative effort serves as a critical response in a landscape where the interplay of global politics and local governance becomes increasingly complex.
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