Establishing and expanding the Regional China Officer program

(1) In general There is authorized to be established at the Department a Regional China Officer (RCO) program to support regional posts and officers with reporting, information, and policy tools, and to enhance expertise related to strategic competition with the People's Republic of China. RCOs shall, to the greatest extent possible, have appropriate fluency. (2) Authorization There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2029 to the Department of State to expand the RCO program, including for— (A) the hiring of locally employed staff to support Regional China Officers serving abroad; and (B) the establishment of full-time equivalent positions to assist in managing and facilitating the RCO program. (3) Program funds There is authorized to be appropriated $50,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2029 for each Regional China Officer to support programs and public diplomacy activities of the Regional China Officer.