Strategy to counter role of the People’s Republic of China in evasion of sanctions with respect to Russian-origin petroleum products

(a) In general Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a written strategy, and provide to those committees an accompanying briefing, on the role of the People’s Republic of China in evasion of sanctions imposed by the United States with respect to Russian-origin petroleum products that includes an assessment of options— (1) to strengthen the enforcement of such sanctions; and (2) to expand sanctions designations targeting the involvement of the People’s Republic of China in the production, transportation, storage, refining, and sale of Russian-origin petroleum products. (b) Elements The strategy required by subsection (a) shall include— (1) a description and assessment of the use of sanctions in effect before the date of the enactment of this Act to target individuals and entities of the People’s Republic of China that are directly or indirectly associated with smuggling of Russian-origin petroleum products; (2) an assessment of— (A) Russian-owned entities operating in the People’s Republic of China and involved in petroleum refining supply chains; (B) the People’s Republic of China’s role in Russian petroleum refining supply chains; (C) how the People’s Republic of China leverages its role in Russian petroleum supply chains to achieve political objectives; and (D) what percent of the energy consumption of the People’s Republic of China is linked to imported Russian-origin petroleum products; (3) a detailed plan for— (A) monitoring the maritime domain for sanctionable activity related to smuggling of Russian-origin petroleum products; (B) identifying the individuals, entities, and vessels engaging in sanctionable activity related to Russian-origin petroleum products, including— (i) vessels— (I) transporting petrochemicals subject to sanctions; (II) conducting ship-to-ship transfers of such petrochemicals; (III) with deactivated automatic identification systems; or (IV) that engage in flag hopping by changing national registries; (ii) individuals or entities— (I) storing petrochemicals subject to sanctions; or (II) refining or otherwise processing such petrochemicals; and (iii) through the use of port entry and docking permission of vessels subject to sanctions; (C) deterring individuals and entities from violating sanctions by educating and engaging— (i) insurance providers; (ii) parent companies; and (iii) vessel operators; (D) collaborating with allies and partners of the United States engaged in the Northern Europe, including through standing or new maritime task forces, to build sanctions enforcement capacity through assistance and training to defense and law enforcement services; and (E) using public communications and global diplomatic engagements to highlight the role of smuggling of Russian-origin petroleum products in bolstering the Russian Federation’s war efforts in Ukraine and support for other malign activity; and (4) an assessment of— (A) the total number of vessels smuggling Russian-origin petroleum products; (B) the total number of vessels smuggling such products destined for the People’s Republic of China; (C) interference by the People’s Republic of China with attempts by the United States, the United Kingdom, or the European Union to investigate or enforce sanctions with respect to Russian-origin petroleum products; (D) the effectiveness of the use of sanctions with respect to insurers of entities that own or operate vessels involved in smuggling Russian-origin petroleum products; (E) the personnel and resources needed to enforce sanctions with respect to Russian-origin petroleum products; and (F) the impact of smuggled Russian-origin petroleum products on global energy markets. (c) Form The strategy required by subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may include a classified index.