H.R. 5329: Regional China Officer Authorization Act

This bill, named the Regional China Officer Authorization Act, proposes the establishment of a Regional China Officer Program Unit within the U.S. Department of State. This program aims to monitor and assess the global presence of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and help U.S. diplomatic and consular posts counter harmful activities associated with China.

Key Components of the Bill

• Authorization of the Program Unit: The Secretary of State is tasked with creating the Regional China Officer Program Unit in the Office of China Coordination, under the Bureau of East Asia and Pacific Affairs.
• Staffing: The unit will consist of a Director and at least 20 Regional China Officers (RCOs) who will be forward-deployed to U.S. diplomatic or consular posts and allied foreign ministries. Their roles will include monitoring and advising on PRC activities across various domains.
• Qualifications: RCOs will be selected based on their experience and proficiency related to the PRC, including prior work in China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, as well as fluency in Mandarin.
• Geographic Deployment: A minimum of two RCOs will be assigned to U.S. diplomatic posts in each regional bureau of the U.S. State Department, ensuring a widespread presence to address PRC activities globally.
• Funding: The bill authorizes $2.5 million each fiscal year from 2026 to 2030 for expanding the program and management activities. Additionally, it allocates $1.25 million to support various programs, including public diplomacy related to the Regional China Officer Program.
• Five-Year Duration: The program is designed to last five years, after which its existence will be reviewed for potential extension or termination.
• Focus on Strategic Interests: The bill reflects a broader U.S. foreign policy stance that emphasizes monitoring and analyzing the influence of the PRC and reinforcing U.S. interests globally against perceived malign activities.

Sense of Congress

The bill expresses that:

• The U.S. is in global competition with the PRC, necessitating diligent assessment of PRC actions that oppose U.S. interests.
• The RCO program is vital for effective strategy and response to China at multiple levels.
• The U.S. should actively counter PRC coercive actions and market distortions that undermine U.S. interests.

Responsibilities of RCOs

The RCOs will be responsible for:

• Monitoring and reporting on PRC activities in areas such as commerce, development, finance, technology, and military endeavors.
• Advising U.S. embassies and allies on how to effectively respond to PRC initiatives both locally and globally.

Relevant Companies

• AAPL (Apple Inc.): The company could be impacted due to its manufacturing and market presence in China, making it susceptible to policy changes regarding China.
• BA (Boeing Co.): As a defense and aerospace company, Boeing's operations may be directly influenced by U.S.-China relations, particularly regarding military and technology exports.
• MSFT (Microsoft Corporation): Microsoft's dealings with China concerning software, cloud computing, and partnerships could face scrutiny and changes under heightened regulations.