Governor Stitt issues order to shield Oklahoma from Chinese Communist Party threats

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — On Thursday, Governor Kevin Stitt issued Executive Order 2024-11, counteracting the Chinese Communist Party's malign influence and bolstering Oklahoma's defenses against potential threats from foreign adversaries.

According to Governor Stitt, the executive order outlines comprehensive measures to protect Oklahomans and their tax dollars from CCP aggression and escalating tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.

Under President Biden, the United States is dealing with an aggressive and emboldened Chinese government, and states have to be prepared to deal with those consequences. I'm proud to take this executive action to protect our interests from foreign adversaries. I can promise you, the Chinese Communist Party will find no friend in Oklahoma. - Governor Stitt

Citing a string of alarming statements from U.S. intelligence agencies regarding the CCP's espionage activities and growing aggression in the Indo-Pacific region, the executive order implements proactive measures to protect state assets and citizens by focusing on the following directives:

• Risk Assessment and Auditing:The order directs OMES to administer an annual state risk assessment to identify areas of vulnerability, such as vulnerability to cyberattacks, public health, energy infrastructure and more.
• Defending State Assets: To bolster our defense posture, Governor Stitt aims to protect taxpayer assets by ordering the development of divestment plans for those assets deemed at risk of compromise in the event of an Indo-Pacific conflict.
• Securing our Supply Chain: Governor Stitt's order ensures Oklahoma reduces its reliance on single-source procurement from adversarial regimes like the CCP, while directing OMES to assess critical infrastructure, telecommunications, military installations, and other areas of concern.

Three weeks ago Governor Stitt signed a bill,prohibiting foreign governments from owning land in Oklahoma.