This bill mandates that the Secretary of State submit a comprehensive report to appropriate congressional committees every five years, starting 180 days after enactment. The report must include a list, disaggregated by country, of individuals participating in educational or cultural exchange programs sponsored or funded by both the People's Republic of China and the United States. It also requires an assessment of participation trends and an analysis of their implications for U.S. diplomatic and strategic interests, as well as the impact on the diplomatic standing and strategic influence of both the U.S. and China. For U.S.-sponsored programs, such as the Fulbright Program Young African Leaders Initiative Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative , the report must provide detailed metrics. These metrics include funding amounts, participant numbers, countries of origin, ages, and the percentage of participants reporting a more favorable opinion of the U.S. Government, increased understanding of U.S. culture, and agreement with democratic values. Congress emphasizes that these exchange programs are critical soft power tools for advancing U.S. national security interests and strengthening diplomatic ties, especially given China's active deployment of similar programs to expand its influence.