S. 2736 

One Hundred Fifteenth Congress 

of the 

United States of America 

AT THE SECOND SESSION 

Begun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday, 

the third day of January, two thousand and eighteen 

An Act 

To develop a long-term strategic vision and a comprehensive, multifaceted, and 

principled United States policy for the Indo-Pacific region, and for other purposes. 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 

the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Asia Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018’’. 

(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for this Act 

is as follows: 

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 

Sec. 2. Findings. 

TITLE I—UNITED STATES POLICY AND DIPLOMATIC STRATEGY IN THE 

INDO-PACIFIC REGION 

Sec. 101. Policy. 

Sec. 102. Diplomatic strategy. 

TITLE II—PROMOTING UNITED STATES SECURITY INTERESTS IN THE 

INDO-PACIFIC REGION 

Sec. 201. Authorization of appropriations. 

Sec. 202. Treaty alliances in the Indo-Pacific region. 

Sec. 203. United States-China relationship. 

Sec. 204. United States-India strategic partnership. 

Sec. 205. United States-ASEAN strategic partnership. 

Sec. 206. United States-Republic of Korea-Japan trilateral security partnership. 

Sec. 207. Quadrilateral security dialogue. 

Sec. 208. Enhanced security partnerships in Southeast Asia. 

Sec. 209. Commitment to Taiwan. 

Sec. 210. North Korea strategy. 

Sec. 211. New Zealand. 

Sec. 212. The Pacific Islands. 

Sec. 213. Freedom of navigation and overflight; promotion of international law. 

Sec. 214. Combating terrorism in Southeast Asia. 

Sec. 215. Cybersecurity cooperation. 

Sec. 216. Nonproliferation and arms control in the Indo-Pacific region. 

TITLE III—PROMOTING UNITED STATES ECONOMIC INTERESTS IN THE 

INDO-PACIFIC REGION 

Sec. 301. Findings; sense of Congress. 

Sec. 302. Trade negotiations, multilateral agreements, and regional economic summits. 

Sec. 303. United States-ASEAN economic partnership. 

Sec. 304. Trade capacity building and trade facilitation. 

Sec. 305. Intellectual property protection. 

Sec. 306. Energy programs and initiatives. 

Sec. 307. Lower Mekong initiative. 

Sec. 308. Sense of Congress on economic growth and natural resource conservation. 

Sec. 309. Sense of Congress in support of women’s economic rights. 
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TITLE IV—PROMOTING UNITED STATES VALUES IN THE INDO-PACIFIC 

REGION 

Sec. 401. Findings. 

Sec. 402. Trafficking-in-persons. 

Sec. 403. Freedom of the press. 

Sec. 404. Democracy, human rights, and labor personnel. 

Sec. 405. Bilateral and regional dialogues; people-to-people engagement. 

Sec. 406. Association of Southeast Asian Nations Human Rights Strategy. 

Sec. 407. Freedom of information to North Korea. 

Sec. 408. Sense of Congress on imposition of sanctions and suspension of United 

States assistance. 

Sec. 409. Authorization of appropriations. 

Sec. 410. Indo-Pacific human rights defenders. 

Sec. 411. Young leaders people-to-people initiatives. 

SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 

Congress makes the following findings: 

(1) The Indo-Pacific region— 

(A) represents nearly 50 percent of the global population; 

(B) is home to some of the most dynamic economies 

in the world; and 

(C) poses security challenges that threaten to undermine United States national security interests, regional 

peace, and global stability. 

(2) The core tenets of the United States-backed international system are being challenged, including by— 

(A) China’s illegal construction and militarization of 

artificial features in the South China Sea and coercive 

economic practices; 

(B) North Korea’s acceleration of its nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities; and 

(C) the increased presence throughout Southeast Asia 

of the Islamic State (referred to in this Act as ‘‘ISIS’’) 

and other international terrorist organizations that 

threaten the United States. 

(3) The economic order in the Indo-Pacific region continues 

to transform, presenting opportunities and challenges to United 

States economic interests. 

(4) The United States has a fundamental interest in 

defending human rights and promoting the rule of law in 

the Indo-Pacific region. Although many countries in the region 

have improved the treatment of their citizens, several IndoPacific governments continue to commit human rights abuses 

and place restrictions on basic human rights and political and 

civil liberties. 

(5) Without strong leadership from the United States, the 

international system, fundamentally rooted in the rule of law, 

may wither, to the detriment of United States, regional, and 

global interests. It is imperative that the United States continue 

to play a leading role in the Indo-Pacific region by— 

(A) defending peace and security; 

(B) advancing economic prosperity; and 

(C) promoting respect for fundamental human rights. 

(6) In 2017, the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, 

and International Cybersecurity Policy of the Committee on 

Foreign Relations of the Senate held a series of hearings on 

United States leadership in the Indo-Pacific region, in which— 

(A) experts, including Representative Randy Forbes, 

Ambassador Robert Gallucci, Ms. Tami Overby, Dr. Robert 
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Orr, Ambassador Derek Mitchell, Ambassador Robert King, 

Mr. Murray Hiebert, and others detailed the security challenges, economic opportunities, and imperatives of promoting the rule of law, human rights, and democracy, 

in the Indo-Pacific region; and 

(B) Dr. Graham Allison, the Douglas Dillon Professor 

of Government at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, testified, ‘‘As realistic students 

of history, Chinese leaders recognize that the role the 

United States has played since World War II as the 

architect and underwriter of regional stability and security 

has been essential to the rise of Asia, including China 

itself. But they believe that as the tide that brought the 

United States to Asia recedes, America must leave with 

it. Much as Britain’s role in the Western Hemisphere faded 

at the beginning of the twentieth century, so must America’s role in Asia as the region’s historic superpower 

resumes its place.’’. 

(7) The United States National Security Strategy (referred 

to in this Act as the ‘‘National Security Strategy’’), which was 

released in December 2017, states— 

(A) ‘‘A geopolitical competition between free and repressive visions of world order is taking place in the IndoPacific region. The region, which stretches from the west 

coast of India to the western shores of the United States, 

represents the most populous and economically dynamic 

part of the world. The United States interest in a free 

and open Indo-Pacific extends back to the earliest days 

of our republic.’’; and 

(B) ‘‘Our vision for the Indo-Pacific excludes no nation. 

We will redouble our commitment to established alliances 

and partnerships, while expanding and deepening relationships with new partners that share respect for sovereignty, 

fair and reciprocal trade, and the rule of law. We will 

reinforce our commitment to freedom of the seas and the 

peaceful resolution of territorial and maritime disputes 

in accordance with international law. We will work with 

allies and partners to achieve complete, verifiable, and 

irreversible denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula and 

preserve the non-proliferation regime in Northeast Asia.’’. 

TITLE I—UNITED STATES POLICY AND 

DIPLOMATIC STRATEGY IN THE INDOPACIFIC REGION 

SEC. 101. POLICY. 

It is the policy of the United States to develop and commit 

to a long-term strategic vision and a comprehensive, multifaceted, 

and principled United States policy for the Indo-Pacific region 

that— 

(1) secures the vital national security interests of the 

United States and our allies and partners; 

(2) promotes American prosperity and economic interests 

by advancing economic growth and development of a rulesbased Indo-Pacific economic community; 
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(3) advances American influence by reflecting the values 

of the American people and universal human rights; 

(4) supports functional problem-solving regional architecture; and 

(5) accords with and supports the rule of law and international norms. 

SEC. 102. DIPLOMATIC STRATEGY. 

It is the diplomatic strategy of the United States— 

(1) to work with United States allies— 

(A) to confront common challenges; 

(B) to improve information sharing; 

(C) to increase defense investment and trade; 

(D) to ensure interoperability; and 

(E) to strengthen shared capabilities; 

(2) to strengthen relationships with partners who— 

(A) share mutual respect for the rule of law; 

(B) agree with fair and reciprocal trade; and 

(C) understand the importance of civil society, the rule 

of law, the free and reliable flow of information, and transparent governance; 

(3) to support functional problem-solving regional architecture, including through the Association of Southeast Asian 

Nations, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, and the East Asia 

Summit; 

(4) to emphasize the commitment of the United States— 

(A) to freedom of navigation under international law; 

(B) to promote peaceful resolutions of maritime and 

territorial disputes; and 

(C) to expand security and defense cooperation with 

allies and partners, as appropriate; 

(5) to pursue diplomatic measures to achieve complete, 

verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of North Korea; 

(6) to improve civil society, strengthen the rule of law, 

and advocate for transparent governance; 

(7) to develop and grow the economy through private sector 

partnerships between the United States and Indo-Pacific partners; 

(8) to pursue multilateral and bilateral trade agreements 

in a free, fair, and reciprocal manner and build a network 

of partners in the Indo-Pacific committed to free markets; 

(9) to work with and encourage Indo-Pacific countries— 

(A) to pursue high-quality and transparent infrastructure projects; 

(B) to maintain unimpeded commerce, open sea lines 

or air ways, and communication; and 

(C) to seek the peaceful resolution of disputes; and 

(10) to sustain a strong military presence in the IndoPacific region and strengthen security relationships with allies 

and partners throughout the region. 
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TITLE II—PROMOTING UNITED STATES 

SECURITY INTERESTS IN THE INDOPACIFIC REGION 

SEC. 201. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 

(a) DEFINED TERM.—In this section, the term ‘‘appropriate 

committees of Congress’’ means— 

(1) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; 

(2) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; 

(3) the Committee on Finance of the Senate; 

(4) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; 

(5) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives; and 

(6) the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of 

Representatives. 

(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized 

to be appropriated for the Department of State, the United States 

Agency for International Development, and, as appropriate, the 

Department of Defense, $1,500,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 

2019 through 2023, which shall be used— 

(1) to advance United States foreign policy interests and 

objectives in the Indo-Pacific region in recognition of the value 

of diplomatic initiatives and programs in the furtherance of 

United States strategy; 

(2) to improve the defense capacity and resiliency of partner 

nations to resist coercion and deter and defend against security 

threats, including through foreign military financing and international military education and training programs; 

(3) to conduct regular bilateral and multilateral engagements, particularly with the United States’ most highly-capable 

allies and partners, to meet strategic challenges, including— 

(A) certain destabilizing activities of the People’s 

Republic of China; and 

(B) emerging threats, such as the nuclear and ballistic 

missile programs of the Democratic People’s Republic of 

Korea; 

(4) to build new counterterrorism partnership programs 

in Southeast Asia to combat the growing presence of ISIS 

and other terrorist organizations that pose a significant threat 

to the United States, its allies, and its citizens’ interests abroad; 

(5) to help partner countries strengthen their democratic 

systems, with a focus on good governance; 

(6) to ensure that the regulatory environments for trade, 

infrastructure, and investment in partner countries are transparent, open, and free of corruption; 

(7) to encourage responsible natural resource management 

in partner countries, which is closely associated with economic 

growth; and 

(8) to increase maritime domain awareness programs in 

South Asia and Southeast Asia— 

(A) by expanding the scope of naval and coast guard 

training efforts with Southeast Asian countries; 

(B) by expanding cooperation with democratic partners 

in South Asia, including Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka; 
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(C) through intelligence sharing and other informationsharing efforts; and 

(D) through multilateral engagements, including by 

involving Japan, Australia, and India in such efforts. 

(c) COUNTERING CHINA’S INFLUENCE TO UNDERMINE THE INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM.—Amounts appropriated pursuant to subsection 

(b) shall be made available for United States Government efforts 

to counter the strategic influence of the People’s Republic of China, 

in accordance with the strategy required under section 7043(e)(3) 

of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2014 (division K of Public Law 113– 

76; 128 Stat. 536) and in consultation with the appropriate committees of Congress. 

(d) BURMA.—None of the amounts appropriated pursuant to 

subsection (b) may be made available for International Military 

Education and Training and Foreign Military Financing Programs 

for the armed forces of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar 

(historically known as ‘‘Burma’’). 

(e) PHILIPPINES.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—None of the amounts appropriated pursuant to subsection (b) may be made available for counternarcotics 

assistance for the Philippine National Police unless the Secretary of State determines and reports to the appropriate 

committees of Congress that the Government of the Philippines 

has adopted and is implementing a counternarcotics strategy 

that is consistent with international human rights standards, 

including investigating and prosecuting individuals who are 

credibly alleged to have ordered, committed, or covered up 

extrajudicial killings and other gross violations of human rights 

in the conduct of counternarcotics operations. 

(2) EXCEPTION.—The limitation under paragraph (1) shall 

not apply to funds made available— 

(A) for drug demand reduction, maritime programs, 

or transnational interdiction programs; or 

(B) to support for the development of such counternarcotics strategy, after consultation with the appropriate 

committees of Congress. 

(f) CAMBODIA.—None of the amounts authorized to be appropriated pursuant to subsection (b) may be made available for United 

States assistance programs that benefit the Government of Cambodia unless the Secretary of State certifies and reports to the 

appropriate congressional committees that the requirements under 

section 7043(b)(1) of division K of the Consolidated Appropriations 

Act, 2018 (Public Law 115–141) have been met. 

SEC. 202. TREATY ALLIANCES IN THE INDO-PACIFIC REGION. 

(a) UNITED STATES-JAPAN ALLIANCE.—The United States 

Government— 

(1) is committed to the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and 

Security between the United States and Japan, done at Washington, January 19, 1960, and all related and subsequent 

bilateral security agreements and arrangements concluded on 

or before the date of the enactment of this Act; 

(2) recognizes the vital role of the alliance between the 

United States and Japan in promoting peace and security in 

the Indo-Pacific region; and 
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(3) calls for the strengthening and broadening of diplomatic, 

economic, and security ties between the United States and 

Japan. 

(b) UNITED STATES-REPUBLIC OF KOREA ALLIANCE.—The United 

States Government— 

(1) is committed to the Mutual Defense Treaty Between 

the United States and the Republic of Korea, done at Washington October 1, 1953, and all related and subsequent bilateral 

security agreements and arrangements concluded on or before 

the date of the enactment of this Act; 

(2) recognizes the vital role of the alliance between the 

United States and South Korea in promoting peace and security 

in the Indo-Pacific region; and 

(3) calls for the strengthening and broadening of diplomatic, 

economic, and security ties between the United States and 

the Republic of Korea. 

(c) UNITED STATES-AUSTRALIA ALLIANCE.—The United States 

Government— 

(1) is committed to the Security Treaty Between Australia 

and the United States of America, done at San Francisco September 1, 1951, and all related and subsequent bilateral security agreements and arrangements concluded on or before the 

date of the enactment of this Act; 

(2) recognizes the vital role of the alliance between the 

United States and Australia in promoting peace and security 

in the Indo-Pacific region; and 

(3) calls for the strengthening and broadening of diplomatic, 

economic, and security ties between the United States and 

Australia. 

(d) UNITED STATES-PHILIPPINES ALLIANCE.—The United States 

Government is committed to the Mutual Defense Treaty between 

the Republic of the Philippines and the United States of America, 

done at Washington August 30, 1951, and all related and subsequent bilateral security agreements and arrangements concluded 

on or before the date of the enactment of this Act, including the 

Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, done at Manila April 

28, 2014. 

(e) THAILAND.—The United States Government is committed 

to— 

(1) the Agreement Respecting Military Assistance Between 

the Government of the United States of America and the 

Government of Thailand, done at Bangkok October 17, 1950; 

(2) the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty, done 

at Manila September 8, 1954; and 

(3) all related and subsequent bilateral security agreements 

and arrangements concluded on or before the date of the enactment of this Act, including the Joint Vision Statement for 

the Thai-United States Defense Alliance, issued in Bangkok 

November 15, 2012. 

SEC. 203. UNITED STATES-CHINA RELATIONSHIP. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The United States Government— 

(1) expresses grave concerns with Chinese actions that 

seek— 

(A) to further constrain space for civil society and 

religion within China; and 
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(B) to undermine a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific 

region; 

(2) encourages China to play a constructive role in world 

affairs by demonstrating consistent respect for the rule of law 

and international norms; 

(3) seeks to build a positive, cooperative, and comprehensive 

relationship with China— 

(A) by expanding areas of cooperation; and 

(B) by addressing areas of disagreement, including over 

human rights, economic policies, and maritime security; 

and 

(4) is committed to working with China on shared regional 

and global challenges, especially— 

(A) upholding and strengthening the rules-based international system; and 

(B) the denuclearization of North Korea. 

(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that 

the United States should— 

(1) welcome a decision by China to change course and 

pursue a responsible results-oriented relationship with the 

United States and engagement on global issues; 

(2) encourage China to play a constructive role in the 

Indo-Pacific region and globally; and 

(3) continue to call out Chinese actions that undermine 

the rules-based international system. 

SEC. 204. UNITED STATES-INDIA STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The United States Government— 

(1) recognizes the vital role of the strategic partnership 

between the United States and India in promoting peace and 

security in the Indo-Pacific region; 

(2) calls for the strengthening and broadening of diplomatic, 

economic, and security ties between the United States and 

India; and 

(3) is committed to— 

(A) the New Framework for the United States-India 

Defense Relationship, done at Arlington, Virginia on June 

28, 2005; 

(B) the United States-India Defense Technology and 

Trade Initiative, launched in 2012; 

(C) the Joint Strategic Vision for the Indo-Pacific and 

Indian Ocean Region, announced on January 25, 2015; 

(D) the United States-India Joint Statement on Prosperity Through Partnership, issued on June 26, 2017; and 

(E) all related and subsequent bilateral and security 

agreements and arrangements concluded as of the date 

of the enactment of this Act. 

(b) INDIA AS MAJOR DEFENSE PARTNER.—Congress makes the 

following findings: 

(1) Section 1292(a)(1)(A) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114–328; 130 Stat. 

2559; 22 U.S.C. 2751 note) requires the recognition of India 

as a major defense partner. 

(2) The designation of India as a major defense partner, 

which is unique to India— 
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(A) institutionalizes the progress made to facilitate 

defense trade and technology sharing between the United 

States and India; 

(B) elevates defense trade and technology cooperation 

between the United States and India to a level commensurate with the closest allies and partners of the United 

States; 

(C) facilitates technology sharing between the United 

States and India, including license-free access to a wide 

range of dual-use technologies, after taking into account 

national security concerns; and 

(D) facilitates joint exercises, coordination on defense 

strategy and policy, military exchanges, and port calls in 

support of defense cooperation between the United States 

and India. 

SEC. 205. UNITED STATES-ASEAN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP. 

(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that 

the United States should— 

(1) support and reaffirm the elevation of the United StatesAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations (referred to in this 

section as ‘‘ASEAN’’) relationship to a strategic partnership; 

(2) recommit to ASEAN centrality by helping build a strong, 

stable, politically cohesive, economically integrated, and socially 

responsible community of nations that has common rules, 

norms, procedures, and standards which are consistent with 

international law and the principles of a rules-based IndoPacific community; 

(3) urge ASEAN to continue its efforts to foster greater 

integration among its members; 

(4) recognize the value of— 

(A) ASEAN engagement with economic, political, and 

security partners within Asia and elsewhere, including Australia, Canada, the European Union, India, Japan, New 

Zealand, Norway, the Republic of Korea, and Taiwan; and 

(B) strategic economic initiatives, such as activities 

under the United States–ASEAN Trade and Investment 

Framework Arrangement and the United States-ASEAN 

Connect, which demonstrate a commitment to ASEAN and 

the ASEAN Economic Community and build upon economic 

relationships in the Indo-Pacific region; 

(5) support efforts by the nations comprising ASEAN— 

(A) to address maritime and territorial disputes in 

a constructive manner; and 

(B) to pursue claims through peaceful, diplomatic, and 

legitimate regional and international arbitration mechanisms, consistent with international law, including through 

the adoption of a code of conduct in the South China 

Sea to further promote peace and stability in the IndoPacific region; 

(6) support efforts by United States partners and allies 

in ASEAN— 

(A) to enhance maritime capability and maritime 

domain awareness; 

(B) to protect unhindered access to, and use of, international waterways in the Asia-Pacific region that are critical to ensuring the security and free flow of commerce; 
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(C) to counter piracy; 

(D) to disrupt illicit maritime trafficking activities such 

as the trafficking of persons, goods, and drugs; and 

(E) to enhance the maritime capabilities of countries 

or regional organizations to respond to emerging threats 

to maritime security in the Asia-Pacific region; and 

(7) urge ASEAN member states to develop a common 

approach to reaffirm the decision of the Permanent Court of 

Arbitration’s ruling with respect to the case between the 

Republic of the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China. 

(b) REPORT ON STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH

ASEAN.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date 

of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for the 

following 5 years, the Secretary of State, in consultation with 

other Federal agencies, shall submit a report to the appropriate 

congressional committees on a strategic framework to administer programs, projects, and activities of the United States 

to support diplomatic and economic engagement between the 

United States and ASEAN member countries for the 10-year 

period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act. 

(2) ELEMENTS.—The report required under paragraph (1) 

shall address the following elements of United States strategy: 

(A) Promoting commercial engagement between the 

United States and member countries of ASEAN. 

(B) Helping member countries of ASEAN use sustainable, efficient, and innovative technologies in their respective energy sectors. 

(C) Supporting economic conditions in member countries of ASEAN that promote innovation, the creation of 

new businesses, sustainable growth, and the education of 

the region’s future innovators, entrepreneurs, and business 

leaders. 

(D) Working with member countries of ASEAN to 

improve the policy and regulatory environment for growth, 

trade, innovation, and investment. 

(E) Supporting the regional integration objectives of 

member countries of ASEAN under the ASEAN Economic 

Community. 

(F) Partnership opportunities with the governments 

of other countries friendly to the United States that have 

committed to a high set of standards for investment and 

development with ASEAN, as determined by the Secretary 

of State. 

SEC. 206. UNITED STATES-REPUBLIC OF KOREA-JAPAN TRILATERAL 

SECURITY PARTNERSHIP. 

It is the sense of Congress that the President should develop 

a strategy to deepen the trilateral security cooperation between 

the United States, South Korea, and Japan, including missile 

defense, intelligence-sharing, and other defense-related initiatives. 

SEC. 207. QUADRILATERAL SECURITY DIALOGUE. 

It is the sense of Congress that— 

(1) the security dialogue between the United States, Australia, India, and Japan is vital to address pressing security 

challenges in the Indo-Pacific region in order to promote— 

(A) a rules-based order; 
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(B) respect for international law; and 

(C) a free and open Indo-Pacific; and 

(2) such a dialogue is intended to augment, rather than 

to replace, current mechanisms. 

SEC. 208. ENHANCED SECURITY PARTNERSHIPS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA. 

(a) INDONESIA.—The United States Government is committed 

to— 

(1) the United States-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership, done in Washington November 9, 2010; 

(2) the Joint Statement on Comprehensive Defense 

Cooperation, done in Washington October 26, 2015; and 

(3) all related and subsequent bilateral and security agreements and arrangements between the United States and Indonesia concluded on or before the date of the enactment of 

this Act. 

(b) MALAYSIA.—The United States Government is committed 

to— 

(1) the United States-Malaysia Comprehensive Partnership, done at Putrajaya April 27, 2014; 

(2) the Joint Statement for Enhancing the Comprehensive 

Partnership between the United States of America and 

Malaysia, done in Washington September 13, 2017; and 

(3) all related and subsequent bilateral and security agreements and arrangements between the United States and 

Malaysia concluded on or before the date of the enactment 

of this Act. 

(c) SINGAPORE.—The United States Government is committed 

to— 

(1) the Strategic Framework Agreement Between the 

United States of America and the Republic of Singapore for 

a Closer Cooperation Partnership in Defense and Security, 

done at Washington July 12, 2005; 

(2) the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, done 

at Arlington, Virginia December 7, 2015; and 

(3) all related and subsequent bilateral and security agreements and arrangements between the United States and Singapore concluded on or before the date of the enactment of this 

Act. 

(d) VIETNAM.—The United States Government is committed 

to— 

(1) the United States-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership, 

done at Washington December 16, 2013; 

(2) the United StatesVietnam Joint Vision Statement on 

Defense Relations, done at Hanoi on June 1, 2015; 

(3) the United StatesVietnam Joint Vision Statement, done 

at Washington May 31, 2017; and 

(4) all related and subsequent bilateral and security agreements and arrangements between the United States and 

Vietnam concluded on or before the date of the enactment 

of this Act. 

(e) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that 

the United States should deepen diplomatic, economic, and security 

cooperation, especially in the areas of maritime security and 

counterterrorism, with Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and 

Vietnam. 
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SEC. 209. COMMITMENT TO TAIWAN. 

(a) UNITED STATES COMMITMENT TO TAIWAN.—It is the policy 

of the United States— 

(1) to support the close economic, political, and security 

relationship between Taiwan and the United States; 

(2) to faithfully enforce all existing United States Government commitments to Taiwan, consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 (Public Law 96–8), the 3 joint communiques, 

and the Six Assurances agreed to by President Ronald Reagan 

in July 1982; and 

(3) to counter efforts to change the status quo and to 

support peaceful resolution acceptable to both sides of the 

Taiwan Strait. 

(b) ARMS SALES TO TAIWAN.—The President should conduct 

regular transfers of defense articles to Taiwan that are tailored 

to meet the existing and likely future threats from the People’s 

Republic of China, including supporting the efforts of Taiwan to 

develop and integrate asymmetric capabilities, as appropriate, 

including mobile, survivable, and cost-effective capabilities, into 

its military forces. 

(c) TRAVEL.—The President should encourage the travel of highlevel United States officials to Taiwan, in accordance with the 

Taiwan Travel Act (Public Law 115–135). 

SEC. 210. NORTH KOREA STRATEGY. 

(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following findings: 

(1) The Government of the Democratic People’s Republic 

of Korea has flagrantly defied the international community 

by illicitly developing its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, 

in violation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 

1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013), 2094 (2013), 2270 (2016), 

2321 (2016), 2371 (2017), 2375 (2017), and 2397 (2017). 

(2) The Government of the Democratic People’s Republic 

of Korea engages in gross human rights abuses against its 

own people and citizens of other countries, including the United 

States, the Republic of Korea, and Japan. 

(3) The United States is committed to pursuing a peaceful 

denuclearization of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea 

through a policy of maximum pressure and engagement, in 

close concert with its partners. 

(b) POLICY OF THE UNITED STATES WITH RESPECT TO SANCTIONS

AGAINST THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA.— 

(1) STATEMENT OF POLICY.—It is the policy of the United 

States to continue to impose sanctions with respect to activities 

of the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, 

persons acting for or on behalf of such government, or other 

persons in accordance with Executive Order No. 13551 (50 

U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to blocking property of certain persons with respect to North Korea), Executive Order No. 13687 

(50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to imposing additional sanctions), 

Executive Order No. 13694 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to 

blocking the property of certain persons engaging in significant 

malicious cyberenabled activities), Executive Order No. 13722 

(50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to blocking the property of the 

Government of North Korea and the Workers’ Party of Korea, 

and prohibiting certain transactions with respect to North 

Korea), and Executive Order No. 13810 (82 Fed. Reg. 44705; 
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relating to imposing additional sanctions with respect to North 

Korea), as such Executive orders are in effect on the day 

before the date of the enactment of this Act, until the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is no longer engaged in the 

illicit activities described in such Executive orders, including 

actions in violation of the United Nations Security Council 

resolutions referred to in subsection (a)(1). 

(2) REPORT.—Not later than 30 days after terminating any 

sanction with respect to the activities of the Government of 

the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, a person acting 

for or on behalf of such government, or any other person provided for in an Executive order listed in subsection (a), the 

Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the 

Treasury, shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional 

committees justifying the termination of the sanction and 

explaining the relationship between such termination and the 

cessation of any illicit activity that violates any of the United 

Nations Security Council resolutions referred to in subsection 

(a)(1) by such Government or person. The reporting requirement 

under this paragraph shall terminate on the date that is 5 

years after the date of the enactment of this Act. 

(3) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this subsection 

shall be construed to limit the authority of the President pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 

U.S.C. 1701 et seq.). 

(c) POLICY OF THE UNITED STATES WITH RESPECT TO NEGOTIATION ON THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA’S NUCLEAR

AND BALLISTIC MISSILE PROGRAMS.—It is the policy of the United 

States that the objective of negotiations with respect to the nuclear 

and ballistic missile programs of the Democratic People’s Republic 

of Korea be the complete, verifiable, and irreversible dismantlement 

of such programs. 

(d) REPORT ON A STRATEGY TO ADDRESS THE THREATS POSED

BY, AND THE CAPABILITIES OF, THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC

OF KOREA.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the date 

of the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter 

for the following 5 years, the Secretary of State, or a designee 

of the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the 

Treasury, shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional 

committees that describes actions taken by the United States 

to address the threats posed by, and the capabilities of, the 

Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. 

(2) ELEMENTS.—Each report required under paragraph (1) 

shall include— 

(A) a summary of ongoing efforts by the United States 

to identify strategies and policies, including an assessment 

of the strengths and weaknesses of such strategies and 

policies— 

(i) to achieve peaceful denuclearization of the 

Democratic People’s Republic of Korea; and 

(ii) to eliminate the threat posed by the ballistic 

missile program of the Democratic People’s Republic 

of Korea; 

(B) an assessment of— 

(i) potential road maps toward peaceful 

denuclearization of the Democratic People’s Republic 
S. 2736—14 

of Korea and the elimination of the nuclear and ballistic missile threats posed by the Democratic People’s 

Republic of Korea; and 

(ii) specific actions that the Democratic People’s 

Republic of Korea would need to take for each such 

roadmap to become viable; 

(C) a summary of the United States strategy to increase 

international coordination and cooperation, whether unilaterally, bilaterally, or multilaterally, including sanctions 

enforcement and interdiction, to address the threat posed 

by the nuclear and ballistic missile programs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which shall include— 

(i) a description of the actions taken by the Secretary of State, or designees of the Secretary, to consult 

with governments around the world, with the purpose 

of inducing such governments to fully implement the 

United Nations Security Council resolutions referred 

to in subsection (a)(1); 

(ii) a description of the actions taken by such 

governments to fully implement United Nations Security Council resolutions related to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea; 

(iii) a list of countries with governments that the 

Secretary has determined are noncooperative with 

respect to implementing the United Nations Security 

Council resolutions referred to in subsection (a)(1); and 

(iv) a plan of action to engage, and increase 

cooperation with respect to the Democratic People’s 

Republic of Korea, with the governments of the countries on the list described in clause (iii); 

(D) an assessment of the adequacy of the national 

export control regimes of countries that are members of 

the United Nations, and multilateral export control 

regimes, that are necessary to enforce sanctions imposed 

with respect to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea 

pursuant to the United Nations Security Council resolutions referred to in subsection (a)(1); and 

(E) an action plan to encourage and assist countries 

in adopting and using authorities necessary to enforce 

export controls required by United Nations Security 

Council resolutions. 

(3) FORM OF REPORT.—Each report required under this 

subsection shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may 

include a classified annex. 

(e) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that— 

(1) representatives of the United States shall use the voice 

and vote of the United States in all international organizations, 

as appropriate, to advocate for the expulsion of the Democratic 

People’s Republic of Korea from such organizations, until such 

time as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea meets its 

commitments under the United Nations Security Council resolutions referred to in subsection (a)(1); and 

(2) the Secretary of State should work to induce countries 

to meet their commitments under the United Nations Security 

Council resolutions referred to in subsection (a)(1), including 
S. 2736—15 

by considering appropriate adjustments to the diplomatic posture and foreign assistance of the United States with governments that the Secretary has determined are noncooperative 

with respect to implementing the United Nations Security 

Council resolutions referred to in subsection (a)(1). 

SEC. 211. NEW ZEALAND. 

The United States Government is committed to— 

(1) the Wellington Declaration, signed on November 5, 

2010, which reaffirmed close ties and outlined future practical 

cooperation between the United States and New Zealand; 

(2) the Washington Declaration, signed on June 19, 2012, 

which strengthened the defense relationship by providing a 

framework and strategic guidance for security cooperation and 

defense dialogues; and 

(3) all related and subsequent bilateral and security agreements and arrangements between the United States and New 

Zealand concluded on or before the date of enactment of this 

Act. 

SEC. 212. THE PACIFIC ISLANDS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—It is the sense of Congress that the United 

States should— 

(1) support strong United States engagement with the 

nations of the South Pacific, including Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, 

Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, 

Tuvalu, and Vanuatu; 

(2) deepen its cooperation with the nations of the South 

Pacific in areas of mutual interest, including— 

(A) fisheries and marine resource conservation; 

(B) environmental challenges and resilience; 

(C) global health; 

(D) development and trade; and 

(E) people-to-people ties; and 

(3) continue to provide assistance to the Pacific Islands, 

as appropriate, to support the rule of law, good governance, 

and economic development. 

(b) UNITED STATES-COMPACTS OF FREE ASSOCIATION.—It is the 

sense of Congress that the Compacts of Free Association entered 

between the United States and the Freely Associated States 

(Republic of Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, 

and the Republic of Palau)— 

(1) enhance the strategic posture of the United States 

in the Western Pacific; 

(2) reinforce United States regional commitment; 

(3) preempt potential adversaries from establishing positional advantage; and 

(4) further self-governance, economic development, and selfsufficiency of the Freely Associated States. 

SEC. 213. FREEDOM OF NAVIGATION AND OVERFLIGHT; PROMOTION 

OF INTERNATIONAL LAW. 

(a) FREEDOM OF NAVIGATION.—It is the policy of the United 

States— 
S. 2736—16 

(1) to conduct, as part of its global Freedom of Navigation 

Program, regular freedom of navigation, and overflight operations in the Indo-Pacific region, in accordance with applicable 

international law; and 

(2) to promote genuine multilateral negotiations to peacefully resolve maritime disputes in the South China Sea, in 

accordance with applicable international law. 

(b) JOINT INDO-PACIFIC DIPLOMATIC STRATEGY.—It is the sense 

of Congress that the President should develop a diplomatic strategy 

that includes working with United States allies and partners to 

conduct joint maritime training and freedom of navigation operations in the Indo-Pacific region, including the East China Sea 

and the South China Sea, in support of a rules-based international 

system benefitting all countries. 

SEC. 214. COMBATING TERRORISM IN SOUTHEAST ASIA. 

(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 

(1) APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES OF CONGRESS.—The term 

‘‘appropriate committees of Congress’’ means— 

(A) the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate; 

(B) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; 

(C) the Committee on Armed Services of the House 

of Representatives; and 

(D) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House 

of Representatives. 

(2) ISIS.—The term ‘‘ISIS’’ means the Islamic State of 

Iraq and Syria. 

(b) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the 

enactment of this Act, the Director of National Intelligence, in 

consultation with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, 

and other appropriate Federal officials, shall submit a report to 

the appropriate committees of Congress that contains an assessment 

of the current and future capabilities and activities of ISIS-linked, 

al-Qaeda-linked, and other violent extremist groups in Southeast 

Asia that pose a significant threat to the United States, its allies, 

and its citizens interests abroad. 

(c) ELEMENTS.—The report required under subsection (b) shall 

include— 

(1) the current number of ISIS-linked, al-Qaeda-linked, 

and other violent extremist group-affiliated fighters in Southeast Asia; 

(2) an estimate of the number of ISIS-linked, al-Qaedalinked, and other violent extremist group-affiliated fighters 

expected to return to Southeast Asia from fighting in the Middle 

East; 

(3) an analysis of the amounts and sources of ISIS-linked, 

al Qaeda-linked, and other various extremist group affiliatedfighters in Southeast Asia; 

(4) the current resources available to combat the threat 

of ISIS-linked, al-Qaeda-linked, and other violent extremist 

group-affiliated fighters in Southeast Asia, and the additional 

resources required to combat such threat; 

(5) a detailed assessment of the capabilities of ISIS-linked, 

al-Qaeda-linked, and other violent extremist group-affiliated 

fighters to operate effectively in the Indo-Pacific region, 

including the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia; 
S. 2736—17 

(6) a description of the capabilities and resources of governments in Southeast Asia to counter violent extremist groups; 

and 

(7) a list of additional United States resources and capabilities that the Department of Defense and the Department of 

State recommend providing to governments in Southeast Asia 

to combat violent extremist groups. 

SEC. 215. CYBERSECURITY COOPERATION. 

(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that 

there should be robust cybersecurity cooperation between the United 

States and nations in the Indo-Pacific region— 

(1) to effectively respond to cybersecurity threats, including 

state-sponsored threats; 

(2) to share best practices to combat such threats; 

(3) to strengthen resilience against cyberattacks, misinformation, and propaganda; and 

(4) to strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure. 

(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized 

to be appropriated $100,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2019 

through 2023 to enhance cooperation between the United States 

and Indo-Pacific nations for the purposes of combatting cybersecurity threats. 

SEC. 216. NONPROLIFERATION AND ARMS CONTROL IN THE INDOPACIFIC REGION. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The United States Government— 

(1) recognizes that the spread of nuclear and other weapons 

of mass destruction, and their means of delivery, constitutes 

a threat to international peace and security; 

(2) seeks to peacefully address the unique challenge posed 

to regional and global stability by the illicit use, and the proliferation to and from North Korea, of sensitive nuclear and 

missile technologies, and other weapons of mass destruction; 

(3) notes efforts by China and Russia— 

(A) to expand and modernize their respective nuclear 

arsenals, including through significant research and 

development resources in hypersonic glide vehicles and 

other advanced technologies; and 

(B) to pursue sales of commercial nuclear technologies; 

and 

(4) recognizes the legitimate pursuit by many countries 

in the Indo-Pacific region of nuclear energy for a variety of 

peaceful applications. 

(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that 

the United States Government should undertake all reasonable 

and appropriate efforts to pursue effective arms control and nonproliferation policies in the Indo-Pacific region to limit the further 

spread of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. 
S. 2736—18 

TITLE III—PROMOTING UNITED STATES 

ECONOMIC INTERESTS IN THE INDOPACIFIC REGION 

SEC. 301. FINDINGS; SENSE OF CONGRESS. 

(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following findings: 

(1) According to the United States Chamber of Commerce, 

by 2030— 

(A) 66 percent of the global middle class population 

will be living in Asia; and 

(B) 59 percent of middle class consumption will take 

place in Asia. 

(2) According to the Asian Development Bank— 

(A) Asian countries have signed 140 bilateral or 

regional trade agreements; and 

(B) 75 more trade agreements with Asian countries 

are under negotiation or concluded and awaiting entry 

into force. 

(3) Free trade agreements between the United States and 

3 nations in the Indo-Pacific region (Australia, Singapore, and 

the Republic of Korea) have entered into force. 

(4) The member states of the Association of Southeast 

Asian Nations (referred to in this section as ‘‘ASEAN’’), as 

a group— 

(A) represent the fifth largest economy in the world; 

and 

(B) have a combined gross domestic product of 

$2,400,000,000,000. 

(5) The economy comprised of ASEAN member states grew 

by 66 percent between 2006 and 2015, and the total value 

of bilateral trade between the United States and ASEAN 

member states has increased by 78 percent since 2004. 

(6) In 2015, the trade surplus of goods sold by companies 

in ASEAN member states to consumers in the United States 

was $77,000,000,000, while the United States 2015 trade surplus of services provided to consumers in ASEAN member 

states was $8,000,000,000. 

(7) According to US-ASEAN Business Council, goods and 

services exported from the United States to ASEAN member 

states support 550,000 jobs in the United States. 

(8) According to the Business Roundtable— 

(A) the United States, Australia, Brunei, Canada, 

Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam were responsible for a combined 40 

percent of global gross domestic product in 2017; and 

(B) United States bilateral trade with the other nations 

referred to in subparagraph (A) supports 15,600,000 jobs 

in the United States. 

(9) According to the United States National Security 

Strategy— 

(A) ASEAN and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation 

‘‘remain centerpieces of the Indo-Pacific’s regional architecture and platforms for promoting an order based on 

freedom’’; and 
S. 2736—19 

(B) the United States will ‘‘work with partners to build 

a network of states dedicated to free markets and protected 

from forces that would subvert their sovereignty.’’. 

(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that 

trade between the United States and the nations in the IndoPacific region is vitally important to the United States economy, 

United States exports, and jobs in the United States. 

SEC. 302. INDO-PACIFIC TRADE NEGOTIATIONS, MULTILATERAL 

AGREEMENTS, AND REGIONAL ECONOMIC SUMMITS. 

Congress supports— 

(1) multilateral, bilateral, or regional trade agreements 

with partners that— 

(A) comply with trade obligations and respect, promote, 

and strictly adhere to the rule of law; and 

(B) increase United States employment and expand 

the economy; 

(2) formal economic dialogues that include concrete, 

verifiable, and measured outcomes; 

(3) negotiations under the auspices of the World Trade 

Organization, including negotiations to enter into appropriate 

plurilateral and sectoral agreements; 

(4) full implementation of the World Trade Organization’s 

Trade Facilitation Agreement by Indo-Pacific countries; and 

(5) the proactive, strategic, and continuing high-level use 

of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, the East Asia 

Summit, and the Group of 20 to pursue United States economic 

objectives in the Indo-Pacific region. 

SEC. 303. UNITED STATES-ASEAN ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP. 

The President should seek to develop to negotiate a comprehensive economic engagement framework with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. 

SEC. 304. TRADE CAPACITY BUILDING AND TRADE FACILITATION. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The President is encouraged to produce a 

robust and comprehensive trade capacity building and trade facilitation strategy, including leveling the playing field for American 

companies competing in the Indo-Pacific region. 

(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized 

to be appropriated such amounts as may be necessary to carry 

out subsection (a). 

SEC. 305. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTION. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The President should takes steps to 

strengthen the enforcement of United States intellectual property 

laws as a top priority, including taking all appropriate action to 

deter and punish commercial cyber-enabled theft of intellectual 

property. 

(b) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 

of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for the following 5 years, the President shall submit a report to Congress 

that— 

(1) describes the efforts of the United States Government 

to combat intellectual property violations and commercial cyberenabled theft in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly the People’s Republic of China; and 
S. 2736—20 

(2) includes a country-by-country assessment of priority 

areas for United States engagement and capacity building 

assistance. 

(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized 

to be appropriated to the United States Trade Representative such 

amounts as may be necessary to sponsor bilateral and multilateral 

activities designed to build capacity in the identified priority areas 

described in the annual report required under subsection (b). 

SEC. 306. ENERGY PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES. 

(a) INDO-PACIFIC ENERGY STRATEGY.— 

(1) STRATEGY.—Not later than 180 days after the date 

of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for the 

following 5 years, the President shall establish a comprehensive, integrated, multiyear strategy to encourage the efforts 

of Indo-Pacific countries to implement national power strategies 

and cooperation with United States energy companies and the 

Department of Energy national laboratories to develop an 

appropriate mix of power solutions to provide access to sufficient, reliable, and affordable power in order to reduce poverty, 

drive economic growth and job creation, and to increase energy 

security in the Indo-Pacific region. 

(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized to be appropriated $1,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 

2019 through 2023 to carry out paragraph (1). 

(b) RELIABLE ENERGY PARTNERSHIPS.—It is the sense of Congress that the United States should explore opportunities to partner 

with the private sector and multilateral institutions, such as the 

World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, to promote universal 

access to reliable electricity in the Indo-Pacific region, including 

Myanmar (historically known as ‘‘Burma’’). 

SEC. 307. LOWER MEKONG INITIATIVE. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of State, in cooperation with 

the Administrator of the United States Agency for International 

Development, should increase regional engagement in the areas 

of environment, health, education, and infrastructure development 

with the Lower Mekong countries, including— 

(1) assisting in the development of programs that focus 

on forecasting environmental challenges and resilience; 

(2) assisting with transnational cooperation on sustainable 

uses of forest and water resources with the goal of preserving 

the biodiversity of the Mekong Basin and access to safe drinking 

water; 

(3) assisting with education enrollment and broadband 

internet connectivity, particularly English training and 

connectivity in rural communities; and 

(4) improving global health in the Lower Mekong countries, 

including— 

(A) reducing the HIV/AIDS infection rate; and 

(B) helping regional partners to track and treat malaria 

and tuberculosis. 

(b) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the 

enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter through 2023, the 

Secretary of State, in cooperation with the Administrator of the 

United States Agency for International Development, shall submit 

a report to Congress that includes— 
S. 2736—21 

(1) a list and evaluation of Lower Mekong Initiative activities since its inception in 2009; 

(2) a strategy for any increased regional engagement and 

measures of success for the activities described in paragraph 

(1); and 

(3) an accounting of funds used to execute Lower Mekong 

Initiative activities. 

SEC. 308. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON ECONOMIC GROWTH AND NATURAL 

RESOURCE CONSERVATION. 

It is the sense of Congress that the President should encourage 

the governments of countries in the Indo-Pacific region and United 

States private sector interests with operations and investments 

in the region to deploy agriculture practices that— 

(1) conserve natural resources; and 

(2) preserve culturally and ecological valuable lands and 

water bodies. 

SEC. 309. SENSE OF CONGRESS IN SUPPORT OF WOMEN’S ECONOMIC 

RIGHTS. 

It is the sense of the Congress that the United States should— 

(1) support activities that secure private property rights 

and land tenure for women in developing countries in Asia, 

including— 

(A) establishing legal frameworks to give women equal 

rights to own, register, use, profit from, and inherit land 

and property; 

(B) improving legal literacy to enable women to exercise the rights described in subparagraph (A); and 

(C) increasing the capacity of law enforcement and 

community leaders to enforce such rights; 

(2) work with Asian civil society, governments, and multilateral organizations to increase the capability of disadvantaged 

women and girls in Asia— 

(A) to realize their rights; 

(B) to determine their life outcomes; 

(C) to assume leadership roles; and 

(D) to influence decision-making in their households, 

communities, and societies; and 

(3) seek to expand access to appropriate financial products 

and services for women-owned micro, small, and medium-sized 

enterprises in Asia. 

TITLE IV—PROMOTING UNITED STATES 

VALUES IN THE INDO-PACIFIC REGION 

SEC. 401. FINDINGS. 

Congress makes the following findings: 

(1) The promotion of human rights and respect for democratic values in the Indo-Pacific region is in the United States’ 

national security interest. 

(2) Continued support for human rights, democratic values, 

and good governance is critical to a successful United States 

diplomatic strategy in the Indo-Pacific. 

(3) Strong support for human rights and democracy in 

the Indo-Pacific region is critical to efforts to reduce poverty, 
S. 2736—22 

build rule of law, combat corruption, reduce the allure of extremism, and promote economic growth. 

(4) There are serious concerns with the rule of law and 

civil liberties in Cambodia, China, North Korea, Laos, Thailand, 

and Vietnam, which have all been identified by Freedom House 

as ‘‘Not Free’’. 

(5) There have been unacceptable human rights developments in— 

(A) Burma (Myanmar), which has been identified by 

Freedom House as ‘‘Partly Free’’, and the Department of 

State has declared that the violence against the Rohingya 

constitutes ethnic cleansing; 

(B) the Philippines, which has been identified by 

Freedom House as ‘‘Partly Free’’, and where there are 

continued disturbing reports of extra-judicial killings; and 

(C) China, where forced disappearances, extralegal 

detentions, invasive and omnipresent surveillance, and lack 

of due process in judicial proceedings remain troublesome. 

(6) according to the National Security Strategy, the United 

States— 

(A) will ‘‘support, with our words and actions, those 

who live under oppressive regimes and who seek freedom, 

individual dignity, and the rule of law’’; 

(B) ‘‘may use diplomacy, sanctions, and other tools 

to isolate states and leaders who threaten our interests 

and whose actions run contrary to our values’’; and 

(C) ‘‘will support efforts to advance women’s equality, 

protect the rights of women and girls, and promote women 

and youth empowerment programs’’. 

SEC. 402. TRAFFICKING-IN-PERSONS. 

The President is encouraged to pursue additional efforts to 

combat trafficking in persons and human slavery in the IndoPacific region. 

SEC. 403. FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. 

It is the sense of Congress that— 

(1) United States Government officials should lead by 

example— 

(A) by continuing to advocate for freedom of the press 

in the Indo-Pacific region; and 

(B) by engaging with the press corps at every appropriate opportunity; and 

(2) the United States should advocate and support a Ministerial to Advance Press Freedom in the Indo-Pacific to convene 

government and civil society, including journalists, to discuss 

and address the challenges facing press freedom in the IndoPacific region. 

SEC. 404. DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND LABOR PERSONNEL. 

It is the sense of Congress that— 

(1) United States embassies and consulates in the IndoPacific region should have personnel, as appropriate, who are 

dedicated to reporting on and advancing United States democracy, human rights, labor, anti-corruption, and good governance 

policy interests; and 

(2) appropriate resources should be made available to carry 

out such activities. 
S. 2736—23 

SEC. 405. BILATERAL AND REGIONAL DIALOGUES; PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE 

ENGAGEMENT. 

The Secretary of State should, as appropriate— 

(1) establish high-level bilateral and regional dialogues 

with nations in the Indo-Pacific region regarding human rights 

and religious freedom violations; 

(2) establish or support robust, people-to-people exchange 

programs in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly programs 

engaging young leaders; and 

(3) establish educational exchanges and capacity-building 

programs emphasizing civil society development. 

SEC. 406. ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS HUMAN 

RIGHTS STRATEGY. 

(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that 

the United States should continue to work with ASEAN to improve 

the capacity of ASEAN to address human rights, democracy, and 

good governance issues in Southeast Asia. 

(b) STRATEGY.—Not later than 90 days after the date of the 

enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, after consultation 

with the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, shall submit a strategy to the appropriate 

congressional committees to increase cooperation with ASEAN to 

promote human rights, democracy, and good governance in Southeast Asia. 

(c) CONTENTS.—The strategy submitted under subsection (b) 

should include— 

(1) an assessment of the types of United States Government 

resources available to support increased cooperation; and 

(2) an assessment to identify entities within ASEAN that 

the United States could potentially support or partner with 

to promote human rights, democracy, and good governance 

in Southeast Asia. 

SEC. 407. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION TO NORTH KOREA. 

The President is encouraged to continue efforts to enhance 

freedom of information access with regard to North Korea. 

SEC. 408. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS AND 

SUSPENSION OF UNITED STATES ASSISTANCE. 

(a) SANCTIONS.—It is the sense of Congress that the President 

should impose targeted financial penalties and visa ban sanctions, 

in accordance with applicable law and other relevant authorities, 

on any individual or entity that— 

(1) violates human rights or religious freedoms; or 

(2) engages in censorship activities. 

(b) SUSPENSION OF FOREIGN ASSISTANCE.—It is the sense of 

Congress that the President should, in accordance with applicable 

law, terminate, suspend, or otherwise alter United States economic 

assistance to any country that has engaged in serious violations 

of human rights or religious freedoms. 

SEC. 409. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 

(a) PROMOTION OF DEMOCRACY IN THE INDO-PACIFIC REGION.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be appropriated 

$210,000,000, for each of the fiscal years 2019 through 2023, 

to promote democracy, strengthen civil society, human rights, 

rule of law, transparency, and accountability in the Indo-Pacific 
S. 2736—24 

region, including for universities, civil society, and multilateral 

institutions that are focusing on education awareness, training, 

and capacity building. 

(2) DEMOCRACY IN CHINA.—Amounts appropriated pursuant 

to paragraph (1) shall be made available for United States 

Government efforts, led by the Assistant Secretary of State 

for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, to promote democracy, the rule of law, and human rights in the People’s Republic 

of China. 

(3) TIBET.—Amounts appropriated pursuant to paragraph 

(1) shall be made available for nongovernmental organizations 

to support activities preserving cultural traditions and promoting sustainable development, education, and environmental 

conservation in Tibetan communities in the Tibet Autonomous 

Region and in other Tibetan communities in China, India, 

and Nepal. 

SEC. 410. INDO-PACIFIC HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS. 

(a) DEFINED TERM.—In this section, the term ‘‘human rights 

defenders’’ means individuals, working alone or in groups, who 

nonviolently advocate for the promotion and protection of universally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms if the 

advocacy of such issues may result in the risk of safety or life. 

(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that 

human rights defenders in the Indo-Pacific region have been facing 

increased difficulties with the rise of unprecedented crackdowns 

and conflicts. 

(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized 

to be appropriated $1,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2019 

through 2023 to provide critical assistance to human rights 

defenders through the Department of State’s Human Rights 

Defenders Fund. 

(d) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the 

enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter through 2023, the 

Secretary of State, in cooperation with the Administrator of the 

United States Agency for International Development, shall submit 

a report to Congress that includes— 

(1) a list and evaluation of the Human Rights Defenders 

Fund activities since its inception; 

(2) a strategy for any increased regional engagement and 

measures of success for the activities described in paragraph 

(1); and 

(3) an accounting of funds used to execute the Human 

Rights Defender Fund activities. 

SEC. 411. YOUNG LEADERS PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE INITIATIVES. 

There are authorized to be appropriated $25,000,000 for each 

of the fiscal years 2019 through 2023 to support Indo-Pacific young 

leaders initiatives, including the Young Southeast Asian Leaders 

Initiative, the ASEAN Youth Volunteers Program, and other peopleto-people exchange programs that focus on building the capacity 

of democracy, human rights, and good governance activists in the 

Indo-Pacific region. 
S. 2736—25 

SEC. 412. SAVINGS PROVISION. 

Nothing in this Act may be construed as authorizing the use 

of military force. 

Speaker of the House of Representatives. 

Vice President of the United States and

President of the Senate.