I 
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 9265 
To combat the negative environmental, ecological, and public health impacts 
of People’s Republic of China and People’s Republic of China-linked 
investments in sub-Saharan Africa. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
AUGUST 2, 2024 
Mrs. KIM of California (for herself and Mr. ALLRED) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in ad-
dition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently 
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provi-
sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To combat the negative environmental, ecological, and public 
health impacts of People’s Republic of China and Peo-
ple’s Republic of China-linked investments in sub-Saha-
ran Africa. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Stopping PRC Envi-
ronmental Exploitation and Degradation Act’’ or the 
‘‘SPEED Act’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:10 Sep 06, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H9265.IH
H9265
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) The Department of State report titled ‘‘Chi-
na’s Environment Abuses’’ states that the People’s 
Republic of China (referred to as the ‘‘PRC’’), 
‘‘threatens the global economy and global health by 
unsustainably exploiting natural resources and ex-
porting its willful disregard for the environment 
through its One Belt, One Road initiative’’. 
(2) During the past 20 years, the People’s Re-
public of China has significantly increased its eco-
nomic and business activities in sub-Saharan Africa. 
While legal systems across countries vary, business 
entities are generally bound by the laws of their 
home country, the host country, and international 
law. Chinese business entities are notorious for con-
sciously violating the laws of their host countries 
and international law. 
(3) PRC and Chinese private sector companies 
(hereafter referred to as ‘‘PSCs’’) destructive, and 
at times illegal, mining, drilling, logging, and fishing 
practices in sub-Saharan Africa cause high levels of 
concern and harm across sub-Saharan Africa. Many 
PRC-linked entities and Chinese PSCs in sub-Saha-
ran Africa operate with little regard for ecology, 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:10 Sep 06, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H9265.IH
H9265
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
public health, and the well-being of local residents 
and wildlife. 
(4) The World Wildlife Fund has found that 
One Belt, One Road corridors overlap with, and thus 
may adversely affect, over 1,700 key biodiversity 
areas or important bird areas and the habitat ranges 
of 265 threatened species. 
(5) Adverse environmental, ecological, and pub-
lic health incidents connected to lax PRC-linked en-
tities and PSCs business practices have been re-
ported throughout sub-Saharan Africa including, but 
not limited to, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana, and 
the Democratic Republic of Congo. 
(6) As early as 2014, in Ethiopia’s Somali 
‘‘Ogaden’’ region, reports of a deadly disease spread 
across the communities surrounding a PRC-linked 
natural gas plant. Local healthcare professionals 
suspect that the illness is caused by hazardous 
chemical waste from the PRC-linked gas drilling op-
eration that poisoned the drinking water supply. The 
illness results in the yellowing of the eyes, bleeding 
from the nose and mouth, a fever, and then death. 
Over 2,000 deaths suspected of being attributable to 
this waste have been reported according to Voice of 
America. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:10 Sep 06, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H9265.IH
H9265
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
(7) Beginning in 2016, multiple Gambian com-
munities have faced adverse environmental and eco-
nomic impacts from fishmeal processing factories 
owned partially or fully by PRC citizen investors. 
Golden Lead in Gunjur, JXYG in Kartong, and 
Nessim in Sanyang are accused of illegal, unre-
ported, and unregulated (‘‘IUU’’) fishing practices, 
discharging untreated waste into waterways and 
nearby community gardens, and emitting odors. 
Overfishing leads to dumping of dead fish which 
then wash onto beaches, disrupting the local fish 
market economy and threatening a critical food sup-
ply for Gambians. Locals also report that contami-
nated wastewater from the fishmeal factories is 
dumped into freshwater sources, allowing a harmful 
algae bloom to spread turning the water red. 
(8) The involvement of Chinese nationals in ille-
gal, small-scale gold mining in Ghana, known as 
‘‘galamsey’’, is threatening Ghana’s cocoa industry 
and subsistence farming. Between 2008 and 2016 
an estimated 50,000 PRC citizens migrated to 
Ghana to work in the mining sector. The PRC has 
been accused of encouraging the goldrush migration 
to Ghana and has been unhelpful in Ghana’s efforts 
to crack down on the harmful, illegal mining by 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:10 Sep 06, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H9265.IH
H9265
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
PRC citizens. These miners are shifting techniques 
to sophisticated imported machinery supplied by 
PRC citizen investors and introducing alternative 
gold extraction processes, such as cyanide washing, 
which have had devastating environment impacts es-
pecially to Ghana’s waterways and cocoa farms. 
Ghana’s National Food Buffer Stock Company Lim-
ited, the state-owned company responsible for man-
aging the government’s emergency food security re-
serves, estimates that galamsey activities have nega-
tively affected or destroyed more than 19,000 hec-
tares (46,950 acres) of cocoa plantations. 
(9) In 2021, local riverine communities in the 
Democratic Republic of Congo accused a PRC min-
ing company of polluting the Aruwimi River, an im-
portant tributary of the Congo River. Locals re-
ported water discolored by waste disposal. The inci-
dent sparked an increase in sickness, and dead fish 
began floating in the river, which locals consumed. 
The PRC mining firm planned to remediate the 
issue by relocating 10,000 people away from their 
communities and livelihoods. 
(10) The PRC’s involvement in fisheries can 
threaten Africa’s sovereignty over natural resources 
through beneficial ownership agreements, coercive li-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:10 Sep 06, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H9265.IH
H9265
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
censing arrangements, and investments in ports, 
fishmeal, and cold storage facilities. PRC-owned ves-
sels frequently reflag to other nations, obscuring 
ownership and responsibility for vessels’ actions. 
SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF POLICY. 
It is the policy of the United States to— 
(1) ensure that United States-registered cor-
porate entities abide by United States, host country, 
and international environmental protection and labor 
laws and regulatory guidelines; 
(2) oppose the actions of PRC-linked entities 
and PSCs that do not abide by host country and 
international environmental protection and labor 
laws in their business dealings in sub-Saharan Afri-
ca and that instead aim to exploit the natural re-
source endowments of these countries, irrespective of 
the damage done to local communities; and 
(3) work with willing African governments to 
encourage development of a mitigation strategy for 
the negative environmental, ecological and public 
health impact of PRC-linked entities and Chinese 
PSCs, including holding violators accountable. 
SEC. 4. STRATEGY AND SUITABILITY FOR LISTING. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of State and the Administrator 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:10 Sep 06, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H9265.IH
H9265
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
of the United States Agency for International Develop-
ment, in consultation with the heads of other Federal de-
partments and agencies as applicable, shall submit to Con-
gress a strategy to partner with willing African countries 
to develop mitigation strategies for the negative environ-
mental impact of PRC-linked and PSC investments across 
Africa. Such a strategy shall— 
(1) outline major founded instances of adverse 
environmental, ecological, and public health incidents 
that can be linked to the People’s Republic of China 
and Chinese PSC’s adverse business practices in 
sub-Saharan Africa; 
(2) identify specific sub-Saharan African coun-
tries where the opportunity is greatest for increased 
collaboration on environmental remediation and eco-
logical restoration to address and mitigate PRC- 
linked entities and Chinese PSCs environmental deg-
radation; and 
(3) include a plan detailing how increased 
United States technical assistance would assist the 
countries identified in paragraph (2) in combating 
the environmental degradation caused by PRC- 
linked entities and Chinese PSCs to positively im-
pact the most at-risk communities. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:10 Sep 06, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H9265.IH
H9265
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the President may impose 
the sanctions described in subsection (b) with respect to 
any foreign person the President determines, based on 
credible evidence and consistent with United States for-
eign policy interests, is responsible for a severe, adverse 
environmental, ecological, or public health incident in sub- 
Saharan Africa and is— 
(1) an entity that is headquartered in a country 
of concern or is organized under the laws of a coun-
try of concern; or 
(2) an individual who is— 
(A) a citizen of a country of concern; 
(B) an official or employee of a country of 
concern; or 
(C) a foreign employee of an entity de-
scribed in paragraph (1). 
(b) SANCTIONS
DESCRIBED.—The sanctions de-
scribed in this subsection are the following: 
(1) INADMISSIBILITY TO UNITED STATES.—In 
the case of a foreign person who is an individual— 
(A) ineligibility to receive a visa to enter 
the United States or to be admitted to the 
United States; or 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:10 Sep 06, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H9265.IH
H9265
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
(B) if the individual has been issued a visa 
or other documentation, revocation, thereof, in 
accordance with section 221(i) of the Immigra-
tion and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1201(i)), of 
the visa or other documentation. 
(2) BLOCKING OF PROPERTY.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The blocking, in ac-
cordance with the International Emergency 
Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), 
of all transactions in all property and interests 
in property of a foreign person if such property 
and interests in property are in the United 
States, come within the United States, or are or 
come within the possession or control of a 
United States person. 
(B) INAPPLICABILITY OF NATIONAL EMER-
GENCY
REQUIREMENT.—The requirements of 
section 202 of the International Emergency 
Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701) shall 
not apply for purposes of this section. 
(c) EXCEPTION RELATING TO THE PROVISION OF 
HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE.—Sanctions under this sec-
tion may not be imposed with respect to transactions or 
the facilitation of transactions for— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:10 Sep 06, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H9265.IH
H9265
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
(1) the sale of agricultural commodities, food, 
medicine, or medical devices; 
(2) the provision of humanitarian assistance; 
(3) financial transactions relating to humani-
tarian assistance; or 
(4) transporting goods or services that are nec-
essary to carry out operations relating to humani-
tarian assistance. 
(d) EXCEPTION TO COMPLY WITH UNITED NATIONS 
HEADQUARTERS AGREEMENT AND LAW ENFORCEMENT 
OBJECTIVES.—Sanctions under subsection (b)(1) shall 
not apply to an individual if admitting the individual into 
the United States would further important law enforce-
ment objectives or is necessary to permit the United 
States to comply with the Agreement regarding the Head-
quarters of the United Nations, signed at Lake Success 
June 26, 1947, and entered into force November 21, 
1947, between the United Nations and the United States, 
or other applicable international obligations of the United 
States. 
(e) EXCEPTIONS FOR INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES.— 
Sanctions under this section shall not apply to any activity 
subject to the reporting requirements under title V of the 
National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3091 et seq.) 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:10 Sep 06, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H9265.IH
H9265
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
or any authorized intelligence activities of the United 
States. 
(f) ENFORCEMENT OF BLOCKING OF PROPERTY.— 
A person that knowingly violates, attempts to violate, con-
spires to violate, or causes a violation of a sanction de-
scribed in subsection (b)(2) that is imposed by the Presi-
dent or any regulation, license, or order issued to carry 
out such a sanction shall be subject to the penalties set 
forth in subsections (b) and (c) of section 206 of the Inter-
national Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 
1705) to the same extent as a person that commits an 
unlawful act described in subsection (a) of that section. 
(g) WAIVER.—The President may waive the applica-
tion of subsection (b) if the President— 
(1) determines that such a waiver is in the na-
tional interests of the United States; and 
(2) not more than 15 days after the waiver 
takes effect, notifies Congress of the waiver and the 
reason for the waiver. 
(h) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) COUNTRY OF CONCERN.—The term ‘‘coun-
try of concern’’ has the meaning given to the term 
‘‘foreign country of concern’’ in section 231.102 of 
title 15, Code of Federal Regulations. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:10 Sep 06, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H9265.IH
H9265
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
(2) FOREIGN PERSON.—The term ‘‘foreign per-
son’’ means an individual or entity that is not a 
United States person. 
(3) 
UNITED
STATES
PERSON.—The 
term 
‘‘United States person’’ means— 
(A) a United States citizen; 
(B) a permanent resident alien of the 
United States; 
(C) an entity organized under the laws of 
the United States or of any jurisdiction within 
the United States, including a foreign branch of 
such an entity; or 
(D) a person in the United States. 
SEC. 6. SUNSET. 
This Act shall terminate on the date that is 5 years 
after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:10 Sep 06, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H9265.IH
H9265
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB