,,iii #aafth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 ,,res4 #djf ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,november #e1 #bjai,mr4 ,menendez 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,risch1 ,mr4 ,markey1 ,mr4 ,gardner1 and ,mr4 ,merkley7 submitted the following resolution2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations ,june #c1 #bjbj,reported by ,mr4 ,risch1 with an amendment and an amendment to the preamble ,january #a1 #bjba ,considered1 amended1 and agreed to with an amended preamble ,,resolution ,recognizing that for #ej years1 the ,association of ,south ,east ,asian ,nations 7,,asean7 and its ten members1 ,brunei1 ,cambodia1 ,indonesia1 ,laos1 ,malaysia1 ,myanmar1 the ,philippines1 ,singapore1 ,thailand1 and ,vietnam1 have worked with the ,united ,states toward stability1 prosperity1 and peace in ,southeast ,asia1 and expressing the sense of the ,senate that the ,united ,states will continue to remain a strong1 reliable1 and active partner in the ,,asean region4 ,whereas the #aj members of the ,association of ,south ,east ,asian ,nations 7,,asean7 represent a variety of different cultures and beliefs2 ,whereas an estimated #g1jjj1jjj ,united ,states citizens identify with an ethnicity represented in ,,asean2 ,whereas the ,united ,states and ,,asean have been cooperating to advance our mutual interests for #dj years1 having first established dialogue relations on ,september #aj1 #aigg1 through the #aigg ,joint ,communique of the ,first ,,asean-,united ,states ,dialogue and the ,united ,states' accession to the ,treaty of ,amity and ,cooperation in ,southeast ,asia 7,,tac7 at the ,,asean ,post ,ministerial ,conference ,session in ,thailand on ,july #bb1 #bjji2 ,whereas the ,united ,states was the first non-,,asean country to appoint an ambassador to ,,asean on ,april #bi1 #bjjh1 and the first non-member to establish a permanent mission to ,,asean in #bjaj2 ,whereas cooperation between the ,united ,states ,government and the governments and people of the ,,asean nations can help realize our common goals of a free1 open1 peaceful1 and prosperous ,indo-,pacific rooted in a rule-based order that promotes security1 opportunity1 and dignity to all peoples2 ,whereas the member states of ,,asean are all vibrant economies that have given rise to a flourishing middle class and collectively are predicted to become the world's fourth-largest economy by #bjej2 ,whereas1 in #bjai1 ,,asean's #aj members represented the sixth largest economy in the world and constitute the ,united ,states fourth-largest export market1 with total ,united ,states exports to ,,asean countries reaching #aaf1bjj1jjj1jjj2 ,whereas ,,asean is the number one destination for ,united ,states investment in the ,indo-,pacific1 with #cbi1jjj1jjj1jjj in cumulative foreign direct investment2 ,whereas ,,asean nations surround critical global sea lanes1 with #e1cjj1jjj1jjj1jjj of global trade and more than half of the world's total shipped tonnage transiting through ,,asean waters each year2 ,whereas the ultimate goal of the ,,asean ,economic ,community 7,,aec7 is to create one of the world's largest single market economies and facilitate the free movement of goods1 services1 and professionals2 ,whereas the ,united ,states-,,asean ,single ,window custom facilitation system expedites intra-,,asean trade and enhances the ability of ,united ,states businesses to operate in the region2 ,whereas the ,united ,states-,,asean ,business ,alliance for ,competitive ,small and ,medium-,sized ,enterprises 7,s,m,es7 has trained more than #d1fjj small-to-medium size enterprises1 with nearly half of the participants being women entrepreneurs2 ,whereas the ,lower ,mekong ,initiative1 established on ,july #bc1 #bjji1 promotes sustainable long-term economic development throughout mainland ,southeast ,asia and fosters regional cooperation1 integration1 and capacity building2 ,whereas the newly announced ,japan-,united ,states ,mekong ,power ,partnership aims to promote a more sustainable energy sector and quality energy infrastructure development and demonstrates the shared commitment of the ,united ,states and other ,indo-,pacific nations to strengthen ties with ,mekong countries2 ,whereas1 in #bjah and #bjai1 the ,united ,states announced several additional initiatives to enhance cooperation with ,,asean1 including the ,united ,states-,,asean ,smart ,cities ,partnership1 the ,,asean ,policy ,implementation ,project1 and the ,united ,states-,,asean ,innovation ,circle2 ,whereas the ,united ,states is cooperating with ,,asean member states and providing emergency health assistance to enhance their resilience in the face of the ,,covid-#ai pandemic1 including through the recently announced ,united ,states-,,asean ,health ,futures program that builds on the over #c1ejj1jjj1jjj the ,united ,states has invested in global health collaboration with ,,asean nations over the last #bj years2 ,whereas the ,united ,states remains committed to working with ,,asean to improve the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental dignity of the people of ,,asean countries1 a key ingredient to maintaining stability1 promoting economic growth1 and advancing good governance2 ,whereas the ,united ,states opposes all actions and claims that infringe upon the freedom and lawful use of the sea1 and has a national interest in ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight1 open access to the ,indo-,pacific region's maritime commons1 and respect for international law in the ,south ,china ,sea2 ,whereas the ,united ,states is deeply concerned about recent assertive and unsafe behavior by the ,people's ,republic of ,china in the ,south ,china ,sea1 and urges all claimants with competing territorial claims to seek peaceful resolution of disputes through collaborative diplomacy and1 as necessary1 international arbitration mechanisms consistent with international law2 ,whereas the ,united ,states supports the ,philippines' decision to use arbitration under the ,united ,nations ,convention on the ,law of the ,sea 7,,unclos71 done at ,montego ,bay ,december #aj1 #aihb1 to peacefully and lawfully address competing claims2 ,whereas the ,united ,states supports development of a ,code of ,conduct 7,,coc7 that represents the interests of all parties and promotes peace and stability in the region1 opposes efforts by any nation to use a ,,coc as a vehicle to limit presence in or lawful use of the ,south ,china ,sea1 encourages claimants not to undertake new or unilateral attempts to change the status quo since the signing of the #bjjb ,declaration of ,conduct1 including reclamation activities or administrative measures or controls in disputed areas in the ,south ,china ,sea1 and encourages ,,asean countries to adopt a unified position in negotiating the ,,coc2 ,whereas the ,,asean-,united ,states ,maritime ,exercise 7,,auxm71 which ran from ,september #b-f1 #bjai1 and featured over #a1jjj sailors from all #aa countries1 built greater maritime security on the strength of ,,asean1 strengthened navy-to-navy bonds1 and exemplified our shared belief in a free and open ,indo-,pacific2 and ,whereas natural disasters in the ,,asean region over the past four decades have resulted in major loss and damage1 with a disproportionate impact on developing countries1 and the ,united ,states will pursue initiatives that are consistent with sustainable long-term economic development1 including the achievement of food security and poverty alleviation2 improvement of conservation and sustainable management of forests1 fish stocks1 and oceanic resources2 resilience to extreme weather events that are increasing in frequency and severity2 and provision of sustainable livelihoods for local communities throughout the ,,asean region3 ,now1 therefore1 be it ,that the ,senate-- 7#a7 supports and affirms the full implementation of the ,asia ,reassurance ,initiative ,act 7,public ,law #aae-dji7 with regard to elevating the ,united ,states relationship with ,,asean2 7#b7 stands with the nations of ,,asean as they respond to ,,covid-#ai and supports greater cooperation in building capacity to prepare for and respond to pandemics and other public health challenges2 7#c7 expresses support for rescheduling the ,united ,states-,,asean ,special ,summit at an appropriate time1 and supports high-level ,united ,states participation in the annual ,,asean summit held each ,november2 7#d7 reaffirms the importance of ,united ,states-,,asean economic engagement1 including the elimination of barriers to cross-border commerce1 and supports the ,,asean ,economic ,community's 7,,aec7 goals1 including strong1 inclusive1 and sustainable long-term economic growth and cooperation with the ,united ,states that focuses on innovation and capacity-building efforts in technology1 education1 disaster management1 food security1 human rights1 and trade facilitation1 particularly for ,,asean's poorest countries2 7#e7 urges ,,asean to continue its efforts to foster greater integration and unity within the ,,asean community1 as well as to foster greater integration and unity with non-,,asean economic1 political1 and security partners1 including ,japan1 the ,republic of ,korea1 ,australia1 the ,european ,union1 ,taiwan1 and ,india2 7#f7 recognizes the value of strategic economic initiatives like ,united ,states-,,asean ,connect1 which demonstrates a commitment to ,,asean and the ,,aec and builds upon economic relationships in the region2 7#g7 supports ,,asean nations in addressing maritime and territorial disputes in a constructive manner and in pursuing claims through peaceful1 diplomatic1 and1 as necessary1 legitimate regional and international arbitration mechanisms1 consistent with international law1 including through the adoption of a code of conduct in the ,south ,china ,sea that represents the interests of all parties and promotes peace and stability in the region2 7#h7 urges all parties involved in the maritime and territorial disputes in the ,indo-,pacific region1 including the ,government of the ,people's ,republic of ,china-- 7,a7 to cease any current activities1 and avoid undertaking any actions in the future1 that undermine stability1 or complicate or escalate disputes through the use of coercion1 intimidation1 or military force2 7,b7 to demilitarize islands1 reefs1 shoals1 and other features1 and refrain from new efforts to militarize1 including the construction of new garrisons and facilities and the relocation of additional military personnel1 material1 or equipment2 7,c7 to oppose actions by any country that prevent other countries from exercising their sovereign rights to the resources in their exclusive economic zones 7,,eez7 and continental shelves by enforcing claims to those areas in the ,south ,china ,sea that lack support in international law2 and 7,d7 to oppose unilateral declarations of administrative and military districts in contested areas in the ,south ,china ,sea2 7#i7 urges parties to refrain from unilateral actions that cause permanent physical damage to the marine environment1 and supports the efforts of the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration and ,,asean to implement guidelines to address the illegal1 unreported1 and unregulated fishing in the region2 7#aj7 supports efforts by ,united ,states partners and allies in ,,asean-- 7,a7 to enhance maritime capability and maritime domain awareness2 7,b7 to protect unhindered access to and use of international waterways in the ,indo-,pacific region that are critical to ensuring the security and free flow of commerce2 7,c7 to counter piracy2 7,d7 to disrupt illicit maritime trafficking activities such as the trafficking of persons1 goods1 and drugs2 and 7,e7 to enhance the maritime capabilities of countries or regional organizations to respond to emerging threats to maritime security in the ,indo-,pacific region2 7#aa7 urges ,,asean member states to develop a common approach to reaffirm the decision of the ,permanent ,court of ,arbitration's #bjaf ruling in favor of the ,republic of the ,philippines in the case against the ,people's ,republic of ,china's excessive maritime claims2 7#ab7 reaffirms the commitment of the ,united ,states to continue joint efforts with ,,asean to halt human smuggling and trafficking in persons1 and urges ,,asean to create and strengthen regional mechanisms to provide assistance and support to refugees and migrants2 7#ac7 supports the ,lower ,mekong ,initiative1 which has led to significant progress in promoting sustainable long-term economic development in mainland ,southeast ,asia and fostering integrated sub-regional cooperation and capacity building2 7#ad7 urges ,,asean to build capacity for the promotion and protection of human rights by ,,asean member states1 and the implementation of related priorities1 programs1 and activities2 7#ae7 urges ,,asean governments to engage directly with leaders of civil society and human rights1 including advocates of religious freedom1 victims of human rights abuses1 and environmental groups1 and to ensure these stakeholders have a voice in constructing public policy2 7#af7 encourages the ,president of the ,united ,states to communicate to ,,asean leaders the importance of promoting the rule of law and open and transparent government1 strengthening civil society1 and protecting human rights1 including releasing political prisoners1 ceasing politically motivated prosecutions and arbitrary killings1 safeguarding freedom of the press1 freedom of assembly1 freedom of religion1 and freedom of speech and expression2 7#ag7 supports efforts by organizations in ,,asean that address corruption in the public and private sectors1 enhance anti-bribery compliance1 enforce bribery criminalization in the private sector1 and build beneficial ownership transparency through the ,,asean-,,usaid ,,prospect project partnered with the ,south ,east ,asia ,parties ,against ,corruption 7,,sea-,,pac72 7#ah7 supports the ,young ,southeast ,asian ,leaders ,initiative as an example of a people-to-people partnership that provides skills1 networks1 and leadership training to a new generation who will create and fill jobs1 foster cross-border cooperation and partnerships1 and rise to solve the regional and global challenges of the future2 and 7#ai7 applauds the ,,asean governments that have fully upheld and implemented all ,united ,nations ,security ,council resolutions and international agreements with respect to ,north ,korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs1 and encourages all other ,,asean governments to do the same4