States STOP China Tech
46 States Spent on Chinese Tech.
Is Yours One?
Updated: July 2023Technology products by Chinese government-owned technology manufacturers Lenovo and Lexmark have been restricted by U.S. military and intelligence agencies due to their connection to the Chinese government and military, but are still being purchased by state government bodies. While federal policy directs information security at the federal level, states must determine their own security standards making states vulnerable to intrusion through the purchase of these risky Chinese technology products and services.
— click on either map for detail —
Recent State Spending
2023 State Momentum
3 Main Findings
1
Chinese companies that have been banned or restricted from U.S. military and national security networks – e.g. Lenovo, Lexmark, Hikvision, and DJI – can still contract with state governments.
2
Despite escalating threats from China, state government purchases have continued, and in some cases has increased significantly since our 2020 report.
3
Actions in Georgia, Florida, and other states inaugurated a new wave of state action to ban Chinese technology from state government contracts. 2023 has built on that momentum with 4 additional states signing new bills into law.
2023 Briefing Paper
Table of Content
- Executive Summary
- Background: Why Don’t states Implement Restrictions?
- Progress is Happening…
- But States Continue to Purchase Dangerous Chinese Tech and Deploy Them in Critical Agencies
- Recommendations to Counter Chinese Tech Threats in States
- Background on Select Chinese Technology Manufacturers
The Solution
Stop Buying Vulnerable Tech
Exemplary Georgia Law
In May 2022, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed S.B. 346. The law broadly defined scrutinized companies as those “owned or operated by the Government of China.” This comprehensive definition leaves little room for ambiguity.
Florida Executive Action
Governor DeSantis released Executive Order 22-216 to counter Chinese government intrusion in Florida’s computer networks. Noting the critical security threat detailed by national defense authorities and the actions taken to secure federal networks, Governor DeSantis took the step to secure Florida’s state and local government networks by preventing the exposure of government information and technology services and systems to the Chinese government.
Model Policy
American Legislative Exchange Council members considered and approved a model policy introduced by Georgia State Representative Martin Momtahan to help states restrict the purchase of risky technology. The model is based on a bill Rep. Momtahan led in Georgia and Governor Brian Kemp signed into law in May 2022.
Additional Resources
Media
Newsweek, “When States Buy Chinese, America Is Put at Risk | Opinion“
Forbes, “US States Reconsider $230M On Restricted Lexmark, Lenovo Products“
Axios, China Newsletter
Coalition for a Prosperous America, ” Why an Increasing Number of U.S. States are Banning China Tech“
Number of States with Action to Restrict Chinese Tech in Contracts as of May 2023
