H.R. 5329 would require the Department of State to establish a Regional China Officer Program Unit. It would include a director and at least 20 Foreign Service officers assigned to U.S. diplomatic or consular posts, or detailed to the foreign ministry of an ally. The officers would monitor and report on China’s activities in areas such as finance, technology, infrastructure, and the military, and advise U.S. personnel, partners, and host countries. The bill sets minimum staffing across seven State Department regional bureaus and authorizes funding for fiscal years 2026 through 2030. The requirement to maintain the unit and program would expire five years after enactment. The bill was introduced and referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
The bill concerns U.S. diplomatic work abroad. It does not set out direct services or benefits for individuals. The officers would share information and advice with U.S. diplomatic personnel, partners, and host countries.
The bill authorizes $2.5 million per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to expand and manage the program, and $1.25 million per year for those years for program activities and public diplomacy. These amounts would require appropriations to be provided. The director position must not increase the Department of State’s overall full-time equivalent positions.
Congress states that the program helps the State Department monitor and analyze China’s activities and supports U.S. efforts to respond to actions it views as coercive or harmful to U.S. interests.
No publicly available information.