    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 132, 115th Congress, 2nd Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    Public Law 115-409
    115th Congress

    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 Indo-Pacific
    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

    [[Page 5389]]

    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
    Indo-Pacific 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 INDO-
    PACIFIC 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 rules-based 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 Indo-
    Pacific region and strengthen security relationships with allies
    and partners throughout the region.

    [[Page 5391]]

    TITLE II--PROMOTING UNITED STATES SECURITY INTERESTS IN THE INDO-PACIFIC
    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
    information-sharing 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 States-
    Association 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 Indo-
    Pacific 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
    Indo-Pacific 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;

    [[Page 5399]]

    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

    [[Page 5400]]

    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

    [[Page 5401]]

    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 self-
    sufficiency 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--

    [[Page 5402]]

    (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-Qaeda-linked, 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 affiliated-fighters 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;

    [[Page 5403]]

    (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 INDO-PACIFIC
    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.

    [[Page 5404]]

    TITLE III--PROMOTING UNITED STATES ECONOMIC INTERESTS IN THE INDO-
    PACIFIC 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

    [[Page 5405]]

    (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 Indo-Pacific 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 cyber-enabled theft in the Indo-Pacific region,
    particularly the People's Republic of China; and

    [[Page 5406]]

    (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--

    [[Page 5407]]

    (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,

    [[Page 5408]]

    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 Indo-Pacific 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
    Indo-Pacific region.
    SEC. 404. DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND LABOR PERSONNEL.

    It is the sense of Congress that--
    (1) United States embassies and consulates in the Indo-
    Pacific 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.

    [[Page 5409]]

    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

    [[Page 5410]]

    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 people-to-people exchange
    programs that focus on building the capacity of democracy, human rights,
    and good governance activists in the Indo-Pacific region.

    [[Page 5411]]

    SEC. 412. <>  SAVINGS PROVISION.

    Nothing in this Act may be construed as authorizing the use of
    military force.

    Approved December 31, 2018.

    LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 2736:
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 164 (2018):
    Dec. 4, considered and passed Senate.
    Dec. 12, considered and passed House, amended.
    Dec. 19, Senate concurred in House amendment.
    DAILY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS (2018):
    Dec. 31, Presidential statement.