China’s Surveillance State Reaches into Midland, Texas

​Almost every day, we learn of new capabilities in China’s ever-expanding surveillance and intimidation operations. Xi Jinping’s regime is perfecting its ability to track enemies, even as far from Beijing as West Texas.

Consider the story of Li Chuanliang, a retired Communist Party official who fled China and was granted asylum in the United States. Now in Midland, Texas, Li told the Associated Press:

“They track you 24 hours a day. All your electronics, your phone – they’ll use every method to find you, your relatives, your friends, where you live: No matter where you are, you’re under their control.”

What’s even more disturbing may be the source of China’s capabilities. Technology first deployed to track and persecute China’s Muslim Uyghur minority now helps power the country’s worldwide surveillance network,  supported by technology developed in the United States.

When the AP asked U.S. companies about their role in such potentially deadly technology transfer, most deflected: “IBM said in a statement that it sold its division making the i2 program in 2022, and has ‘robust processes’ to ensure its technology is used responsibly. Oracle declined comment, and Microsoft did not respond.”

But for China, it’s all been a golden opportunity – literally. The regime named the U.S.-derived lynchpins of its surveillance network “Golden Tax,” “Golden Finance,” and “Golden Audit.” (See also China’s notorious Golden Shield program, which American cyber-giant Cisco helped to build.)

The Chinese Communist Party hunts for its perceived enemies in-person as well as online. It involves attempts to recruit American citizens to the cause, according to court filings against two Chinese organizations. The schemes included the use of fake social media accounts to intimidate Chinese dissidents residing abroad.

And, it seems, they occasionally have help from U.S. citizens such as an ex-New York cop convicted of hunting dissidents for the PRC. It’s a sordid tale and, sadly, far from an isolated incident. Nor is the tale of such transnational aggression limited to state actors like China alone.

In addition to matters of statecraft, the human toll exacted by such global Big Brother programs is immeasurable, as seen in the mental health effects of state surveillance on Chinese students who are merely studying in the United States. Some have cut all ties to family and friends back home to protect their loved ones from the suspicion that comes from simply being in America.

We should remember these souls during this season of light. If you know a Chinese student or resident who doesn’t seem to have many friends here, it might not be by choice. Consider reaching out to them in person and offering your support. Just be careful about using your cellphone (or theirs) to make plans. Consider getting your church involved too, like congregants in Midland did for Li and others.
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Speaking of which, check out the AP’s poignant photo essay chronicling Li’s attempts to build a new life in Midland, together with other Chinese expatriates.

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